http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=SLA_successfully_tests_new_Sprinkler_Irrigation_System_20130128_06

 

SLA successfully tests new Sprinkler Irrigation System

A new sprinkler irrigation system made by the Sri Lanka Army was successfully tested by the Army. The new time saving and economical irrigation system was successfully tested at the Security Forces (SF-J) farm in Palaly. This irrigation system which sprinkles water on the crops has proved to be advantageous in many ways. It requires less human effort and more importantly it minimizes water wastage since water is equally sprayed on plants without unnecessarily flooding the fields as how it is usually done. It also prevents damage to crops during irrigation.

In this Sprinkler Irrigation system, water is pumped to the field in a tube and sprayed on crops through sprinklers wetting the plants and their roots to the required level. At present the system is being successfully used to irrigate a three acre onion cultivation in the farm.

The irrigation system was developed by Colonel Buddhika Gunaratne, Director Agriculture of SLA under the direction of Commander Security Forces - Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe who made a study tour to Egypt to learn about this irrigation system. This method is widely used in Egypt to irrigate agricultural land.

The 180 Palaly farm provides fresh and high quality vegetable to troops and the surplus is supplied to the Northern market at concessionary prices.