Page 7 - Agric Info Mag 01 2017

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Consisting of 67% hydrogen and 33% oxygen,
water holds a very essential position in the normal eve-
ryday functioning of life whether it be for agricultural,
industrial or domestic use.

Water plays a vital role in the agricultural sector
where it concerns the cultivation of crops and rearing
of livestock.

However, in the Caribbean, countries can be subjected to extensive periods of drought, but
due to constant climate changes over the years, One can never really tell when a ‘dry-spell’ will
occur. Farmers should try their best to implement different types of water harvesting techniques
in times when rainfall is in abundance.

Plants are living organisms growing in a permanent location, absorbing water and inorganic sub-
stances through their roots and synthesizing nutrients through photosynthesis and like humans
they require a specific amount of water for these processes. For example, the following plants
have the following requirements during the growing period

 Banana– 6 to 8 inches
 Onions– 13 to 21 inches

 Peppers– 23 to 35 inches
 Potatoes– 19 to 27 inches

Livestock are considered to be domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting for the sole
purpose of food, fiber and labor.

Different livestock have different levels of water requirement; it is also dependent on their age and
diet (salt and protein intake).

ANIMALS: Requirement for water per day

 Dairy Cattle – 30 to 36 inches, A dairy cattle’s intake is strongly influenced by the stage of pro-
duction and level of milk production.

 Sheep – 1 to 3 inches, Sheep do not require a large amount of water due to the fact that they
get most of their water from feed (grass). They would more than likely drink more water if they
were feeding on dry or mature grass.

 Pigs– 3 to 6 inches. A pig’s water intake is dependent on how their protein and salt diet is.