Drip vs sprinkler
Drip Irrigation vs Sprinkler / Pivot Irrigation
Drip is the highest-efficiency water delivery method. Pivots and sprinklers cover more land per dollar. Crop choice, water price and topography decide.
| Dimension | Drip Irrigation | Sprinkler / Pivot Irrigation |
|---|---|---|
| Water efficiency | 85–95% | 65–85% (pivot), 55–75% (impact sprinklers) |
| Energy per m³ | Low pressure – low | Higher (pivots need 2–4 bar at nozzle) |
| CAPEX per hectare | USD 1.5–4K | USD 0.8–2.5K (pivot / sprinkler kit) |
| Fertigation friendly | Excellent | Possible but less precise |
| Labour | Higher – filtration + line maintenance | Lower – automated pivot laps |
| Topography fit | Any terrain | Best on flat / gentle slope (pivot) |
| Best-fit crops | Vegetables, orchards, vineyards, greenhouse crops | Cereals, forage, potato, onion, sugar beet, large open-field |
| Water source risk | Needs clean or filtered water | More tolerant of raw water |