Tecnologia de irrigação: vantagens, impactos e principais métodos

Abstract

Irrigation is a fundamental technique for the development of agriculture, especially in regions with little water availability. The main focus of this technique is to supply water to crops in a controlled manner, thus ensuring agricultural productivity and the sustainability of water resources. Increasingly, intense climate change combined with the growth in demand for food has highlighted the importance of efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. This course conclusion work's main objective is to review the literature on irrigation technology. Addressing the different irrigation methods used in agriculture, analyzing their advantages and impacts. Topics such as the historical evolution of irrigation, the main existing systems will be covered, in addition to technological innovations that have contributed to improving water efficiency and its use in agroecology. Irrigation methods can be grouped according to the way water is applied, highlighting four main methods: surface, underground, sprinkler and localized irrigation. This technique, if well planned and executed, provides several advantages, including: increased production; increasing efficiency in the use of water, both in quantity, quality and regularity; increase the diversity of cultures, contributing significantly to the promotion of agricultural production and, consequently, the country's GDP. With the increase in irrigated areas, other concerns arise such as the loss of nutrients and the degradation of natural resources mainly linked to soil and water. Irrigation, when used correctly, is an essential tool for agriculture as it not only guarantees crop productivity, but also a more sustainable and secure future for food production.