A practical event to highlight the potential for farmers and growers to increase irrigation efficiency will be held on a large East Anglian estate.It is the country's first specialist event in irrigation farming to be held for more than two decades, said Melvyn Kay, of the UK Irrigation Association.

A practical event to highlight the potential for farmers and growers to increase irrigation efficiency will be held on a large East Anglian estate.

It is the country's first specialist event in irrigation farming to be held for more than two decades, said Melvyn Kay, of the UK Irrigation Association.

The host landowner, Lord Iveagh, of the Elveden estate, has provided a large site for the demonstration, which will be held on Thursday, July 6. The seven hectare block is off the A1065 Barton Mills to Brandon Road.

"The last event was held in 1984. With the growing concerns about the impact of climate change and the drought conditions, this event is very timely," said Mr Kay.

The theme of the event is the pathway to better irrigation efficiency. There will be practical demonstrations for farmers and growers which will show the best ways to manage their irrigation systems efficiently.

"We are getting inquiries from a large number of trade stand exhibitors and we are confident every sector will be well represented," he said.

About a quarter of the site has been set aside for demonstrations to highlight irrigation efficiency, so that the farmers can watch the equipment in action and talk to experts about performance of the application systems.

There will be a series of sessions, from 10am, looking at measuring irrigation performance, uniformity, discharge and pressure for boom/rainguns, trickle irrigation and solid-set sprinklers.

Other experts will be on hand to advise on managing soil and water with topics including soil texture and soil water assessment.

The event, which runs between 9.30am and 4.30pm, will enable farmers and growers to talk to leading irrigation specialists. It is jointly organised by Cranfield University, the Environment Agency and National Farmers' Union.

The event is part of the Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy and is supported by EEDA (East of England Development Agency).

Mr Kay said that the event has been designed to enable people to attend for only for half a day - some may go in the morning and some in the afternoon as the programme of events repeats over the day.

It is a non-profit making event and attendance is free.

Visitors are asked to register in advance, to help catering. E-mail: s.brooks@ukia.org with name and business address and number in the party.