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Have you heard of MIRI irrigation? An acronym for multiple-inlet rice irrigation, MIRI irrigation is a new way to harvest rice using close to 26 percent less water during the irrigation process. The concept is simple: apply a smaller amount of water to each paddy on the rice farm opposed to applying all of the water (pumped usually from dwindling aquifers) to the first paddy and allowing for it to overflow to the other paddies. This is done through laying down disposable, thin-walled tubing that connects rice paddies as they are filled with water.
Reducing water use through rice harvesting by 26 percent (which equates to about 10 inches per rice paddy) is highly significant. Conserving water is crucial and all advancements being made to help us do so should be embraced.
What you can do:
Encourage rice farmers to use the MIRI method. Write to the executives at the rice companies you prefer to support. Communicate with local farmers about the method. Buy rice that was grown using MIRI method. Demonstrate support for rice grown this way and more and more farmers will get on board with it. After all, the traditional way is just wasting them (and us) water.
Read more on conserving water:
7 Questions You Need To Answer To Conserve Water Now
How To Conserve Water
How To Go Green: Water
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