Irrigation System Installed and Tested at ABDF Farm, Crabbs

A comprehensive irrigation system demonstration and installation event recently took place at the ABDF Farm, located in the Crabbs Training Area on the northeastern side of the island. This practical exercise complemented theoretical coursework on irrigation hydraulics and land management, providing participants with a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world agricultural setting. The event was organized by Lance Corporal Michael Gunthrope, Manager of the ABDF Farm, in collaboration with Senior Research Officer Mrs. Madvere Bradford from the Ministry of Agriculture. Approximately 90 participants, including representatives from the Chinese Agricultural Mission, attended the event. Acting Ambassador and Honorary Consular Madam Yun Chang and her Secretary were also present to observe the activities on October 31, 2025. The agricultural plot at Crabbs features a gently undulating terrain that influences surface and subsurface water flow. The site includes a crop production zone equipped with a drip irrigation system designed to meet the precise water needs of the crops. The irrigation system operates on a gravity-fed or low-pressure design, with water distributed from an elevated reservoir through a network of mainlines, submains, and lateral lines. The system uses drizzle tape (drip tape) fitted with pressure-compensating emitters to ensure consistent water flow across the field. However, the field exercise revealed several hydraulic challenges, including preferential flow paths, emitter discharge variability, and pressure differentials within laterals, which aligned with theoretical predictions about the effects of topography on irrigation systems. The results underscored the importance of land leveling, contour mapping, and slope correction before irrigation system installation. The event successfully bridged theory and practice, reinforcing Professor Yang Feng’s lessons on irrigation hydraulics through hands-on experience.