Farm irrigation system buyer's main country

When they talk aboutirrigation systemsfor farms, they immediately imagine standard sprinklers or drip tapes - but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The main mistake of suppliers is that they do not take into account exactly howbuyer's countryinfluences the choice of technology. We at Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technologies LLC went through this: initially we offered universal solutions, and then we were faced with the fact that in Central Asia, for example, water often comes with a high salt content, and simple filters do not cope. I had to reconsider my approach.

Why buyer geography is everything

In 2022 we delivered a batchintelligent water and fertilizer integration equipmentto Kazakhstan – it seemed that everything had been calculated. But they did not take into account local voltage drops: the frequency converters began to fail. We had to urgently refine the stabilization schemes. Now we always ask about the power grid.

Uzbekistan is a different story - the water from the irrigation ditches there contains sand and silt. Standard disc filters clogged within a week. We switched to combined systems with gravel filters, although they are more expensive. But customers pay for reliability, not fancy specifications.

Sometimes the nuances are generally at the bureaucratic level: in some regions of Russia they require certificates for equipment that are not available in the EU. You have to set aside time for testing in local laboratories in advance.

How we adapt systems to specific conditions

For projects in Crimea, we developed a remote control module for valves with a backup GSM channel - there are problems with the Internet there. Not an ideal solution, but it works reliably.

More difficult withbuyer's main countrywhere there are no traditions of land reclamation - for example, in Mongolia. There, farmers are accustomed to grazing livestock, and the benefits of drip irrigation have to be explained from scratch. We show at the demo site how you can get three crops of forage grasses in a season.

By the way, about testing grounds - on our website https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru there is a video from tests in saline soil conditions. Not an advertisement, but rather a technical report for specialists.

Equipment that actually works

Fertigation stations are a separate issue. Previously, European pumps were installed, but they do not always withstand sandstorms in the Caspian region. We switched to our own developments with enhanced engine protection.

Soil moisture monitoring systems are a seemingly basic element. But in steppe regions, sensors are often damaged by rodents. We had to develop armored casings, although this will increase the cost of the project by 15-20%.

Automation is a sore spot. Local electricians sometimes 'improve' wiring diagrams, which leads to breakdowns. Now we conduct mandatory trainings for customer technical staff.

Economics vs. efficiency

There was a case in the Astrakhan region - the customer wanted to save onwater filtration. Failed to persuade. After two months, the drippers failed due to lime deposits. We had to completely change the system.

Now we always insist on multi-stage cleaning, even if the client resists. More expensive to start with, but cheaper to operate.

By the way, about cost - many do not take into account energy consumption. Our engineers have developed a calculator that calculates not only capital costs, but also operating costs for 5-10 years. It often turns out that more expensive equipment pays for itself through energy savings.

Prospects and dead-end branches

We tried to implement solar-powered systems - the technology is crude. In cloudy weather, the pressure in the lines drops. For now, they are left as an optional solution for remote pastures.

Cdesign of hydraulic structuresNot everything is simple either - in some CIS countries they still use Soviet standards, which are not always compatible with modern equipment. We have to look for compromises.

We are currently experimenting with precision irrigation systems for vineyards in Moldova. There, it is not just the water supply that is important, but precise dosing in different phases of the growing season. So far the results are encouraging, but it is too early to talk about mass implementation.

What's the result?

The main conclusion in recent years: you can’t sellirrigation systemas a finished product. This is always customization for a specific client, his soil, water and even mentality.

Our company Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC is now relying on flexible configurations - from simple systems for small farmers to fully automated complexes for agricultural holdings.

And yes - never skimp on design. It’s better to spend an extra month on research than to redo half the system later. Tested from my own experience.