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Sprinkler irrigation is an imitation of natural rainfall. Water is distributed through an underground pipe network by pumping. It is then sprayed into the air through sprinklers. The water breaks up into small water drops which fall to the ground. The pumping supply system, sprinklers and operating conditions must be properly designed to enable a uniform application of water.

An electric pump of 1 hp can run the system. Nevertheless, gasoline/diesel pumps are preferred because of the weak and irregular electricity supply to the countryside. Moreover those pumps can be modified to run fully on biogas.

Although the initial investment cost to set-up the irrigation system is relative high (about 9 million VND 1000 m² in 2008), the system has several advantages, like reducing workload and time to irrigate, and a uniform and efficient distribution of water and fertiliser. An absolutely must for professional high quality forage cultivation that will be paid off soon. Since better and more forages leads to less concentrate and healthier cows what ends in more and better milk!

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The Vietnam Belgium Dairy Project