If it works as claimed, the Earthmister will go a long way toward greening the deserts.
In the water scarce Middle East, a new type of crop irrigation device may prove to be a boon to growing crops. Called the “Earthmister” this system is said to use up to 80% less water than conventional irrigation methods while increasing the yields of plantings by as much as 150%. Based on patented technology, this subsurface system delivers the water directly to the root zone of the plant; completely eliminating evaporation, runoff, and the associated plant diseases associated with surface irrigation. Additionally the system provides essential aeration to the roots at each cycle.
An irrigation system that would use 80% less water is definitely user friendly in countries where fresh water is even more precious than oil. Up to now, known methods of irrigation lose a lot of water through evaporation and spillage. Even systems like the well known drip irrigation systems innovated in Israel during the early 1950’s are now being used in countries like Syria. A system where the water is fed directly to the roots of plants is also much better than the pivot irrigation systems being used in the Libyan dessert.
Earthmister is being manufactured by the Waterworks Components LLC, and headed by John C. McCreary, who sent us an email about his product. The company has offices in Dubai and in Ontario, California, USA. Besides its obvious advantage in water conservation the product has no moving parts and requires only simple timing mechanisms, making it far less expensive to install and maintain than conventional systems. It was developed for use in the arid and desert areas of the southwestern USA; and with an office in Dubai the device is sure to be boon to states in the United Arab Emirates where nearly all fresh water comes from either underground aquifers or through desalination, which is prohibitively energy intensive. It makes better sense to use this type of irrigation system rather than the grandiose and expensive systems being used in Libya.
The new irrigation device still has to prove itself and demonstrate that it really can do everything its innovators claim it can. Only after extensive testing in this part of the world will agricultural experts be able to endorse it as something that is superior than even the subsurface drip irrigation systems developed in Israel (and even used to grow sugarcane to produce ethanol) , and in the USA more than 50 years ago.
Read more on irrigation and greening desert regions:
Libya’s Pivot Irrigation in the Sahara Proves Money and do Everything
Netafim to Provide Drip Irrigation for Sugar Cane Ethanol Production in Peru
Drip Irrigation Gives Hope to Drought Plagued Farmers in Syria
Hi Roman,
To tell you the truth, I haven’t followed up; but if you have some new information, please share it with us at Green Prophet.
As you are probably aware, Israel is a pioneer in the field of desert irrigation (drip irrigation systems). The earth misting concept is also very feasible in desert climates – especially in the UAE.
Best regards,
Maurice
Hello,
Have you followed up on this system. I am interested in becoming a dealer for them and wanted to know if you have any additional comments.
Regards,
Roman