GRAVITY FEED DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR HILLY WATERSHED OF RAINFED AREA Introduction: Gravity feed irrigation system is a cost effective way to irrigate smaller sized crop area with drip irrigation with limited water resources. The system requires low investment, minimum maintenance and simple operational methodology. It has unique advantage of its working feasibility in area with less or no supply of electricity and does not require any energy source to pressurize the water in the system. It is easy to maintain, affordable to purchase by small farmers. It’s simple operation and maintenance makes its user- friendly technology for rural women working on small farms. They can easily handle it to grow vegetables, flowers and fruits on small open fields as well as inside protected structure such as polyhouse/shadenet house. In India different irrigation companies provide such system in standard packing for small plots holders to cultivate commercial crops. This system can also be assembled or customized as per size of plot. There is a need to fix a wooden or angle iron frame of 1-1.5 height preferable in square shape so that water tank of 250 to 1000 litre capacity can be placed to get the desired pressure to operate drip irrigation system. Hydraulic head of 1 to 2 m is sufficient to irrigate an area of 250 to 500 m2. This system has more than 90% irrigation efficiency. Drip irrigation system can maximize crop productivity and protect the environment through conserving soil, water and fertilizer resources thus increase farmer income. In this system the emitters deliver water directly to the root zone in quantities that approach the consumptive use of the plants. Small land holder can easily adapt the technology and enable them to cultivate high-value cash crops with small amounts of water to increase their income. Five number of customized gravity feed drip irrigation system have been installed under DST-SEED Project entitled “Demonstration of technologies for improving productivity of rainfed area of Jammu District” which is completed March 2021. Design features: A typical system consists of stand, water source, control valve, filter, main pipe, sub main pipe, lateral pipe, emitters or drippers and some fitting accessories. Square shape stand of angle iron, wooden log or bamboo can be constructed of a height of 1.5 m to keep the PVC tank. Angle iron of size 50 x 50 x 6 mm with flat of 50 x 6 mm can be used for construction of stand. To make cost effective wooden log/bamboo can be used for construction of the stand for small storage tank. Stand can be eliminated in hilly region as upper terrace can used to locate the water source to generate the desired pressure. Low horse power centrifugal pump or manually operated pressure pump can be used to lift the water from pond to overhead tank. Gravity feed drip irrigation system is a low pressure system that uses gravity to increase water pressure. The water source can be PVC tank with a capacity of 500 to 1000 lit placed at minimum height of 1 to 1.5 m above ground level for smaller system to irrigate area up to 500 m2. For large area system height of the tank should be increased. Drip kit for desired area can be purchased from reputed firms. Cost: Cost of gravity feed drip irrigation system includes the cost of stand, storage tank, drip kit and 1 hp centrifugal pump. The total cost system for one canal area is Rs. 38000. Cost can also be reduce by constriction of the stand using locally available material like bamboo or putting the overhead tank at upper terrace of the field. Suitability: Gravity feed drip irrigation system with PVC tank is very much suitable for the farmers of rainfed region. Irrigation through this system is women friendly. Crop diversification and doubling the income of the small farmer is possible by using this system in integration with small water source. Impact of technology: Due to availability of water through poly tank, farmer started growing vegetables using gravity feed drip irrigation system. Gravity feed drip irrigation system is motivating farmers to grow vegetable crops thereby enhancing their income.