| It takes my breath away when I see acres upon | | | | water where it's needed but it's a big problem in |
| acres of wheat rolling like a sea of gold. It's a | | | | third world counties. Think about how it would be |
| beautiful sight to see a large green patch growing | | | | if the only means of getting water to one's crop |
| in what used to be a desert. Tourists traveling the | | | | was through the simplest of pumps; the hand |
| world where farming is a large part of the visual | | | | pump. You know, one that requires someone to |
| and economic landscape stare in awe at the sight | | | | stand and move a handle up and down until |
| of endless fields of corn, soybeans, peanuts, and | | | | enough pressure is generated to force water |
| wheat. What they probably don't stop and think | | | | from the source through a pipe. In many parts |
| is how all the water got there. During the planting | | | | of the world the simple hand pump is still the only |
| and growing seasons you will see the many | | | | means for extracting water from the ground. |
| different methods of irrigation, as well as fertilizer | | | | From the pump, often, the water is placed into a |
| and chemical application in use. Irrigation and | | | | smaller container and carried to the field. The |
| fertilizer application has come a long way in the | | | | process is being repeated over and over until as |
| past century; they are used to help feed an-ever | | | | many of the crops as possible have been |
| growing and developing world. With sophisticated | | | | watered. Not the most efficient way to pump |
| electronics and computers controlling precise | | | | and transport water to the area of need. |
| applications water and fertilizer use is efficient and | | | | This is, of course, how it was done in the past |
| accurate. In many irrigation and chemical | | | | but this scenario is still being played out today in |
| application systems there is some pump operated | | | | many parts of the world. The water source is |
| by hydraulic, electric, "nature"-powered (wind or | | | | available, either underground or some distance |
| solar) or some other method. Unfortunately, | | | | away from where it is needed, and it would only |
| sophisticated systems are not available | | | | take a more modern pumping device to bring the |
| everywhere they are needed. | | | | water closer. |
| Modern agricultural methods have been developed | | | | Through the UN, charitable organizations, and |
| to obtain the highest crop yields possible and | | | | many conservation groups, pumps are being |
| produce optimal profit. In parts of the world yield | | | | made available to people throughout many third |
| and profits play no part in agricultural | | | | world countries. The proper equipment use and |
| development; the goal is to produce enough crops | | | | conservation methods are being taught daily. With |
| to sustain life. Much of that goal starts with simply | | | | better equipment available the outcome is almost |
| moving water from underground or from a river | | | | always the same: there is more food available, |
| to where it is needed, the field. It's hard to | | | | which means fewer people die of hunger. |
| imagine a farm without the means to distribute | | | | |