Rainwater Harvesting for Vegetable Irrigation: Benefits

Rainwater Harvesting for Vegetable Irrigation: Benefits

Question: Collecting rainwater for vegetable irrigation has many benefits in economic terms. Discuss.

• Collecting rainwater for vegetable irrigation will reduce water bills

• It will also increase calorific intake and provide a second source of income for Indians

• A study done on precipitation data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission which is a joint mission between NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has provided observation of rainfall over tropics and subtropics from 1997 to 2015

• Indians will also access potable drinking water

• Each person will require an average of 35 gallons of water per day

• Demand is around 178 gallons per day for an average household of 5 persons

• Outdoor vegetable irrigation would require even less water

• Team found rainwater harvesting provided for nearly 20% of the average indoor demand overall though the southern monsoon season provide more
• Rainwater harvesting provides sufficient water source for vegetable irrigation which demands less water than indoor use

• Rainwater collection for irrigation also provides vitamin rich foods and profits from selling excess vegetables and shorter payback period for infrastructure, operation and maintenance for this

• This can boost cost savings

• It will also increase quality of life in India

Facts and Stats

• After a payback period of one year, rainwater harvesting for vegetable irrigation would provide a profit of between INR 1,548 and 3,261 in a year

• It will net total cost savings of between INR 2,605 and 4,522 rupees in a year.