Day Four: Indepth Design and Fertigation Precision – Advancing Water-Saving Techniques by Brent Simon

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda — The Ministry of Agriculture’s three-week Water-Saving Irrigation Technology Training Program entered its fourth day today, continuing its mission to strengthen local capacity in sustainable water management and agricultural innovation.

Under the guidance of Mr. Huang Yanwu, Associate Research Fellow at Longping Agricultural High-Tech Co., Ltd., participants spent the day exploring two advanced topics central to modern irrigation practices.

The morning session featured Lecture 5: “Deep Design and Precise Calculation of Water-Saving Irrigation Systems.” The session examined the technical principles behind efficient irrigation system planning — including hydraulic design, pressure balance, and soil-water-plant interaction — to ensure maximum productivity with minimal water waste.

In the afternoon Lecture 6: “Commissioning of Fertigation Systems” focused on the integration of nutrient delivery within irrigation setups. Participants gained insight into calibration, automation, and the fine-tuning required for accurate and sustainable fertigation management.

Reflecting on the program’s progress, Ms. Anika Aska, Agricultural Officer and member of the management team, remarked that “the course is going well, and the participants have been very engaged in lectures and discussions. Many have shared experiences and exchanged knowledge. The course material has also been very informative and has given the 70-plus participants a lot of new perspectives on irrigation setups and water-saving technologies.”

Now in its second week, the training continues to blend theoretical instruction with real-world application, empowering agricultural professionals to design and maintain systems that make every drop count.