Exploring microirrigation as a solution to food insecurity
Nebraska may be a key contributor to the nation’s breadbasket, but nearly one in eight Nebraskans are unable to easily access healthy food. Rural areas, in particular, suffer food insecurity.
Growing vegetables locally – from backyard gardens to small-scale greenhouse growers – is one promising solution emerging in recent years.
Husker irrigation engineer Saleh Taghvaeian is supporting food production and local economies by researching available micro-irrigation systems and how to use them efficiently.
“Promoting smaller scale agriculture in rural areas and in some parts of urban areas that are distant to a grocery store can really help fill the void,” said Taghvaeian, associate professor of biological systems engineering.
Growing vegetables, particularly within the popular large plastic-sided greenhouses known as high tunnels, comes with unique challenges.
While greenhouses extend the growing season and protect plants from pests and extreme weather, they’re also hotter and more humid than ambient conditions. And because they block rainfall, understanding when and how to irrigate is crucial.
Micro-irrigation systems – the drippers and mini-sprinklers found in home improvement stores – number in the hundreds. Taghvaeian and his team investigate various systems under different use scenarios on Nebraska’s test fields and greenhouses to identify the best configurations and management practices.
We have to scale up. We have to expand smaller scale agriculture, but we have to do it in a smart way.
Saleh Taghvaeian
The researchers collaborate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service as well as small-scale growers statewide to better understand the challenges, evaluate growers’ setups and water availability, and advise on irrigation practices.
Ultimately, Taghvaeian’s work reduces inefficient water use and protects the environment and water supply from chemical contamination.
Though vegetable operations are a tiny cohort compared to commodity producers, interest is growing, he said.
More than 12% of Nebraskans are food insecure, higher than the national average of 11.2%, according to a 2023 USDA survey. Helping small-scale agricultural businesses succeed boosts local economies while bringing nutritious food closer to home.
“We have to scale up. We have to expand smaller scale agriculture, but we have to do it in a smart way,” Taghvaeian said. “We have to make sure that it doesn’t negatively impact the environment.”
USDA-NRCS funds this research.