Diseño agronómico y propuesta productiva para la implementación del sistema de riego tecnificado en la comunidad Santa Rosa de Cullog, cantón Guano, provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

In the community of Santa Rosa de Cullog, the lack of an irrigation system has limited crop productivity, which depends on rainfall, making it vulnerable to climate variability and directly impacting the economy of farming families. The objective of this research was to establish an agronomic design and develop a productive proposal for the implementation of a modernized irrigation system. The methodology included diagnosing the area of influence, flow measurements, infiltration tests, soil and water analysis, estimation of water demand, agronomic design for sprinkler and drip irrigation, an agroeconomic study, financial evaluation, and a productive proposal. Results showed that 89.29% of families rely primarily on agriculture as their main source of income. The irrigation board has a water flow availability of 1.22 l/s. The soils are sandy loam in texture with an infiltration rate of 480.74 mm/h, and water demands of 4.57 mm/day for maize and 3.32 mm/day for strawberries, with gross irrigation depths of 15.48 mm/day and 3.19 mm/day, respectively. The sprinkler irrigation design proposed using 55022-U model sprinklers with a spacing of 10 x 14 meters between sprinklers and laterals, irrigation times of 3 hours, and an average flow of 2.35 l/s. For localized irrigation, a drip tape was recommended with a spacing of 30 cm between emitters, irrigation intervals of one day, operation times of 15 minutes, and a flow rate of 0.31 l/s. The agroeconomic evaluation suggests incorporating strategic crops (lemon, blackberry, and strawberries), along with an irrigation system, which could increase family income from US$ 300.17 to US$ 2,001 annually. The financial studies revealed a Net Present Value (NPV) of US$ 102.79, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 20.92%, a Benefit-Cost ratio (B/C) of 1.25, and a Payback Period (PRI) of 5 years.