Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: McComb, J.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
ALCORN STATE, MISSISSIPPI 39096

ADAPTABILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND IMPACT OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS & SCHEDULING METHODS ON SMALL AND LIMITED RESOURCE VEGETABLE & FRUIT FARMS IN MS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Many small and limited resource growers in Mississippi (MS) do not use irrigation for their crops. This could greatly limit potential sales and returns, and may even reduce natural and overall resource use efficiency by requiring more non-irrigation resources per unit of crop produced. This project has three objectives: a) document the use and barriers of drip and sprinkler irrigation and scheduling methods in small holder vegetable and fruit systems in the state; b) identify lead growers and introduce systems to and through these growers that can improve resource use efficiency, return on investment, and resilience; and c) educate growers and improve the productivity and economic viability of small and limited resource growers and the communities they serve. Objective (a) will be accomplished by conducting grower surveys through state and local agricultural meetings, and by phone. Then, survey data will be analyzed and recommendations will follow to accomplish objective (b). In objective (b), identified lead growers will receive training in vegetable/fruit production using irrigation systems. This objective will be attained by collecting and comparing efficiency and productivity data from vegetable and fruit farms using irrigation and non-irrigated methods. Objective (c) will be accomplished by developing field days at grower sites, and at ASU and MSU facilities. The results from this study will 1) help farmers to adopt/adapt sustainable irrigation technology in their farms; 2) advance in the state of knowledge regarding vegetable/fruit crop water use in MS; 3) develop critical knowledge and data related to sustainable irrigation management.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal is to understand factors influencing the adoption, efficiency, and impact of irrigation systems and scheduling methods for irrigation on small and limited resource vegetable and fruit farms in Mississippi, and through this understanding, to test and demonstrate the value of appropriate irrigation technologies to smaller and limited-resource farmers in Mississippi and surrounding states. This project has three objectives: a) Document the use and barriers of drip and sprinkler irrigation and scheduling methods in small holder vegetable and fruit systems in the state. b) Identify lead growers and introduce systems to and through these growers that can improve resource use efficiency, return on investment, and resilience. c) Educate growers and improve the productivity and economic viability of small and limited resource growers and the communities they serve.