Coffee Irrigation Farming Requirements

Coffee irrigation farming requirements depends several factors. These factors determine the best irrigation system for coffee a grower will adopt. As a global commercial crop, coffee irrigated for yield maximization is a necessity to optimise crop income.

They are;

1. Water availability

Coffee drip irrigation is the best irrigation method to adopt because it conserves 70% of water that a sprinkler irrigation system for coffee consumes. Drip irrigation for coffee is by a button drip system which is expensive to install but water efficient. depending on the elevation, this will be done via gravity, or if additional pressure is needed, a water pump provides this

A button dripper irrigating a young tree crop

Over head irrigation of coffee is done where there is plenty of water. This is via the giant flange rain gun sprinklers for wide coverage. It is cheaper to intall but less water efficient, and expensive to run in the long term where a water pump is required to run the sprinklers

A giant flange type rain gun irrigating coffee bushes

2. Crop stage of growth

Amount of water. A coffee plant’s water requirements change according to the crop’s growth stage. A younger crop takes less water than a fruiting mature crop
Irrigation method. Water sprinkler or rain hose kit irrigation systems are for both nurseries and mature crops. Drip irrigation is only for the mature crop

3. Presence of a mulch cover

Coffee irrigation water requirements for mulched trees is low. This is because there is less water loss from the soil. Therefore, the frequency and amount of irrigation water applied is less. Mulching is done by organic matter or the installation of a polythene mulch paper

4. Budget

Sprinkler and rain hose kits are less costly than drip irrigation. However, their operational cost is higher than the button drip system