The labour aspect in the choice of irrigation technology in Torre Pacheco, south‐east Spain

Abstract

This article discusses the choice of irrigation methods in relation to labour. For three types of irrigation methods—trickle irrigation, traditional furrow irrigation and modern furrow irrigation—the technical characteristics and the labour‐saving potentials are analysed and related to the labour situation of four groups of farm enterprises. Conclusions are drawn on the need for irrigation engineers to develop a better understanding of the labour parameters of irrigation methods.