Seminar on Water-Saving Irrigation Technology for Antigua and Barbuda by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George
The second batch of Antiguan and Barbudans that attended the “Water-Saving Irrigation Technology Seminar” in China from 5 to 18 June returned with an aura of accomplishment. The seminar organized by the Yangling International Exchange Center for Agricultural High-Tech Industries Demonstration Zone, an established organization with a wealth of knowledge, techniques, experience and an exemplary track record.
Twenty-eight persons were selected to participate and they ranged from different areas of the agricultural sector. In attendance were extension officers, data and statistical collectors, farmers, foresters and field workers. This assembly was led by Mr. Owobali Elabanjo, Chief Extension Officer of the Agricultural Extension Division within the Ministry of Agriculture.
While there the participants were trained in the flowing courses:
(1) Efficient Water Use Technology and Application for Crops in Arid Regions: This section introduces efficient water-saving cultivation techniques, soil water retention and expansion techniques, conservation tillage techniques, and surface water-saving irrigation techniques suitable for different regions and crops.
(2) Application of Agricultural Water-saving Sprinkler Irrigation Technology: This section describes the classification, characteristics, and applicable scenarios of agricultural water-saving sprinkler irrigation technology, as well as the management requirements and technical points for efficient operation of sprinkler irrigation technology.
(3) Application of Agricultural Water-saving Micro-irrigation Technology: This section introduces the classification, characteristics, and applicable scenarios of agricultural water-saving micro-irrigation technology, as well as the management requirements and technical points for efficient operation of micro-irrigation technology.
(4) Role of Agricultural Soil Information Monitoring Technology in Water-saving Irrigation: This section introduces the effects of soil temperature and salinity on irrigation, the role of agricultural soil information monitoring technology in agricultural irrigation, and commonly used methods for agricultural soil information monitoring.
(5) Methods for Estimating Crop Water Requirements: This section introduces the basic concepts of crop water requirements, as well as the basic principles and methods for measuring, estimating, and predicting crop evapotranspiration.
(6) Water Allocation and Water Management in Arid and Semi-arid Regions: This section introduces water allocation, water management, and the application of information technology in water-saving irrigation in arid regions.
(7) Development and Application of Crop Irrigation Fertilization Technology: This section introduces efficient irrigation and fertilization technologies suitable for modern agricultural development (integrated water and fertilizer technology), including the current development status and practical applications of crop irrigation and fertilization technology.
(8) Application of Rainwater Harvesting Irrigation Technology: This section introduces the composition, types, rainwater harvesting technology, water storage facilities, and optimization design methods of rainwater harvesting irrigation systems.
(9) Intelligent Sensing Technology and Application in Field Irrigation: The core of water-saving irrigation intelligent control lies in the real-time monitoring and intelligent regulation of field information, crop growth conditions, and weather conditions. This section mainly introduces the working principles, technical points, and usage methods of satellite, drone, and soil sensors, as well as the current status and development trends of intelligent equipment technology for water-saving irrigation sensing.
(10) Construction and Management of Water Conservancy Facilities: Introduction to the construction and application of basic agricultural water conservancy facilities such as reservoirs, dams, and irrigation canals, and their roles in balancing water resources distribution during different seasons.
Additionally, they attended a number of field trips to various farms and demonstration sites. These were:
- the China Institute of Water-saving Agriculture in Arid Areas to observe the research and application of water-saving cultivation and irrigation technologies, including crop water demand regulation, water-saving farming practices, and soil and water resource management in four research institutes.
- the Yangling Engineering Technology Research Center for Water-saving Irrigation and the Artificial Rainfall Simulation Hall at the Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to learn about relevant agricultural technologies and applications in arid areas.
- the Yangling Smart Agriculture Demonstration Park to experience firsthand modern agricultural technologies and intelligent irrigation systems, as well as integrated water and fertilizer technologies.
- the Tianhai Hydroelectric Company in Yangling to learn about the research and production of water-saving products and the application of water-saving equipment.
- the water-saving irrigation equipment manufacturer, helping participants better understand the knowledge learned in the classroom.
Mr. Elabanjo expressed his gratitude to our Chinese counterparts such as Yangling International Exchange Center for Agricultural High-Tech Industries, the Longping Hi-Tech Corporation and the Government of China for affording this and other similar opportunities for the citizens of our twin-island state. Additionally, he reiterated the importance of information gathering and sharing, the advancement of the sector as we strive for safe and secure food-production for now and future generations.