The water-saving irrigation method for cotton cultivation is being successfully tested by the Nha Ho Cotton Research and Development Institute in Ninh Thuan Province, providing effective results for cotton growers in arid regions.
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| (Image: VTV) |
At the experimental garden of the Nha Ho Cotton Research and Development Institute in Ninh Thuan Province, the irrigation method now utilizes a drip system along the base of the cotton plants instead of the previous flooding method. This approach has reduced the daily water usage by more than two-thirds compared to before, while still ensuring the growth capacity of the plants.
To maintain productivity, an average of 7,000 to 8,000 cubic meters of water is needed per hectare per crop. However, with the drip irrigation method, the water requirement is reduced to only about 2,000 to 3,000 cubic meters, leading to a reduction in production costs by approximately 400,000 VND.
Not only has this method been successful in cotton cultivation, but the drip irrigation system has also proven effective for high-value crops in arid regions.
According to Master Duong Xuan Dieu from the Cotton Research and Development Institute, the drip irrigation system, which costs about 30 million VND per hectare, may require a relatively high initial investment but has the advantage of a long lifespan of around 7 to 10 years.
Following the success at the experimental fields, the Cotton Research and Development Institute plans to transfer this cultivation method to farmers in Phu Yen and Binh Thuan provinces, where over 5,000 hectares of cotton are grown during the dry season.
