What is measured irrigation?

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Measured irrigation is an irrigation scheduling technique. 

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For conventional drip irrigation systems, the volume of water delivered by a dripper during the irrigation event depends upon the flow rate and the duration of the irrigation event. But for measured irrigation the volume of water delivered by a dripper during the irrigation event is independent of the flow rate and time.

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• Measured irrigation can be completely automatic with the water usage rate directly proportional to the net evaporation rate (evaporation minus rainfall).

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• Measured irrigation is usually gravity feed and can be automated without access to mains water or mains power, and so there are no ongoing costs for mains water or electricity.

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• Measured irrigation is well suited to smallholders in poorer countries. At almost no cost, a smallholder can upgrade gravity feed drip irrigation to measured irrigation using a bucket and a steel pipe. ​

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• You can upgrade any irrigation system (drip or sprinkler, pressurised or gravity feed) to a fully automated measured irrigation system using the Terracotta Irrigation Controller, the Unpowered Wicking Valve, the Unpowered Irrigation Controller for Solenoid Valves, or the Terracotta Irrigation Controller for Latching Solenoids.

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• You can upgrade a gravity feed drip irrigation system with a farm pond to a fully automated measured irrigation using the Automation Kit for Farm Pond Irrigation. Water is pumped automatically from the farm pond to a header tank.

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• Measured irrigation is simple and low tech and hence there are fewer things to go wrong – ideal for smallholders with limited access to technical and maintenance support.