Many smallholder farmers depend on rain to grow food, but climate change is making rainfall less reliable. Global food demand is rising and the world population may reach 10 billion by 2050, so food production needs to grow by about 60%.
Farmer-led, small-scale irrigation systems are a practical option. They can be owned, shared, or offered as a service. These systems usually need less investment than large schemes, are easier to maintain, and give farmers more control. Precision irrigation and sensor systems can send water to roots and check soil moisture.
Solar-powered pumps can use groundwater in many places. Small systems have helped farmers grow tomatoes year-round and have enabled projects in countries like Ghana to modernise irrigation and increase rice yields.
Difficult words
- smallholder — A farmer who runs a small farm for foodsmallholder farmers
- rainfall — The rain that falls in an area over time
- irrigation — A way to supply water to cropsirrigation systems
- precision irrigation — Irrigation that gives water exactly to plants
- sensor — A device that measures and sends informationsensor systems
- groundwater — Water that is under the ground surface
- yield — The amount of crop produced on a farmyields
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Discussion questions
- Do you have experience using irrigation in a garden or farm? Describe it briefly.
- Which advantage of small-scale systems seems most important to you: lower cost, easier maintenance, or more control? Why?
- Would solar-powered pumps be useful in your area? Why or why not?
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