ASSESSMENT OF THE INVESTMENT EFFICIENCY OF USING A COMBINED IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The article emphasizes that irrigation is one of the key factors ensuring national food security, while sprinkler irrigation using center-pivot irrigation machines remains the most widespread irrigation method. It was established that, despite the high reliability, automation level, and operational convenience of such equipment, the circular operating principle results in a low land-use coefficient of approximately 78%, thereby reducing the overall economic efficiency of irrigation. To overcome this limitation, specialists of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Rainbow” developed a technical and technological solution within the framework of a state assignment. The proposed solution involves the combined operation of a center-pivot irrigation machine with a semi-stationary irrigation system consisting of sprinkler devices installed in non-irrigated areas and controlled via radio modules. The implementation of the combined system makes it possible to increase the land-use coefficient up to 98%. The aim of the study was to assess the investment efficiency of implementing the combined irrigation system. At the initial stage, capital investments required for the construction of conventional and combined irrigation systems on a typical 49-hectare field were determined. The conventional system included a center-pivot irrigation machine, a pumping station, and a pipeline network, whereas the combined system additionally incorporated a semi-stationary network with automated sprinkler control. Subsequently, the annual economic effect, payback period, and net present value (NPV) were calculated for the cultivation of various agricultural crops. The calculations were based on revenue generated from agricultural product sales. The results showed that the difference in capital investments between the conventional and combined irrigation systems amounted to RUB 5,126 million, while the irrigated area of the combined system increased by 25%. It was determined that the average annual economic effect from the implementation of the combined irrigation system reached RUB 7.4 million, with a payback period of approximately one year. Additional assessment using the net present value method demonstrated positive NPV values for all considered agricultural crops, averaging RUB 25.9 million, which confirms the high investment efficiency of implementing the combined irrigation system.