5.13Horticulture in Spate Irrigation

Horticulture in Spate Irrigation

Horticultural production is possible in spate irrigation, provided: Use the cool season Soils are sandy-loamy preferable with good organic

content Care is taken in conserving soil moisture Care is taken to prevent damage from tresspassing

livestock, birds and pests Care is taken to avoid damage from late floods

Note: Additional use of groundwater makes it easy

Conserving soil moisture

Example from Eritrea: conserving soil moisture:After being flooded few times in August-SeptemberThis field was ploughed by tractorAnd mulched twice

In February (this picture)soil moisture was still high

Examples of horticultural crops

Planted from seedbedPlanted out on humid day

Tomatoes

Examples of horticultural crops

Okra, lady-fingers

Direct seeded

Examples of horticultural cropsBeans

Examples of horticultural crops

Pumpkins

Added advantage:Non perishable

Examples of horticultural crops

Cucumber and mellons

Examples of horticultural crops

Kerkede (hibiscus)

Examples of horticultural crops

Off-season onion in Sindh (Pakistan)

Also well-irrigated

With thanks to Mohammed Ali Hamirai.Progressive farmer in Sheeb, Eritrea.