irrigation systems which drip water directly onto plants are one, precision sprinklers another.
It's urgent to implement new ways of irrigating crops. The maize farmers around me (SW France) are currently gearing up on new pivots and folding pivots in expectation of the GM bonanza that will see them throw more N and H2O inputs at their fields to get more yield. These irrigation systems waste energy pumping water high into the air and spraying it out as mist -- a great deal of which evaporates in hot weather.
What needs bringing online is a system of biodegradable microporous tube laid down by the seed drill with each row of maize (or some better system if that one doesn't look like a winner). Some judiciously-funneled CAP subsidies to compensate for their investment in the other crap, and firm direction from the technicians that it's time to change. There's no reason I can see why it couldn't be done. When locusts move on, they leave nothing behind
Biodegradable veins--the tubes could also come in various chemical flavours such that if you had a certain soil problem X you choose tube type Y which, when it biodegrades (in a year? two?) releases relevant chemicals into the soil to bring it back to maximum health--
I really like this idea! Sorry Asinus Asinum Fricat, I went a bit OT. Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.
