New Abu Dhabi irrigation system saves 46% water

A new irrigation system installed in Abu Dhabi farms has started to save about 46 per cent water.

The initiative is relevant because agriculture and related sectors consume about 72 per cent of the total water consumption in the emirate. Groundwater accounts for 94 per cent water consumption in the agriculture sector in the emirate. But the current usage of groundwater reservoirs is about 15 times more than the natural recharge rates, according to the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi.

The irrigation systems used by farmers and practices followed by workers were causing overwatering, according to the Abu Dhabi Farmers Service Centre (ADFSC), an Abu Dhabi Government organisation.

To reverse the trend, the centre started introducing new irrigation systems and providing training to farm workers.