11-12-2012, 06:47 PM
Drip irrigation
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What is this Action Sheet about?
This Action Sheet is about drip irrigation, an efficient way to water vegetables and other crops in the
dry season. In places where some water is available all year round, but supplies are limited for parts
of the year, drip irrigation can help people to grow more food. Larger systems can help farmers
increase yields of high-value crops.
How does drip irrigation work?
Drip irrigation kits consist of a pipe and a
bucket or drum. Farmers lay the narrow plastic
pipe along the ground. The pipe is connected
to a bucket or oil drum filled with water, placed
1 to 3 metres above the ground, so that water
keeps flowing down into the pipe. Water is
delivered to the crops through tiny holes in the
pipe. Crops are planted next to the holes, so
that the soil around the plant is kept wet
without wasting any water.
What are the benefits of drip irrigation?
● More vegetables to eat and sell during the dry season
● Kits are quite cheap (US $15 to $85 depending on the size). In
some places, farmers can get loans or set up co-operatives to
purchase the kit. With larger kits for market gardens, the
investment will pay for itself within the first season
● Not a drop of water is wasted – as long as the system is used
correctly, less water is needed compared to other irrigation
methods
● Less time is spent on watering crops
● Less weeds will grow, because water is delivered direct to the
crop
● Water drips out slowly, so nutrients in the soil are not washed
away
● Manure tea or fertilizer can be fed directly to crops through the pipes
Are there any disadvantages to watch out for?
● The systems can get clogged, especially if muddy water is used. It is important to filter the
water. Kits often include a filter system
● People need to be trained and supported when first using drip irrigation kits. Otherwise, they
may use more water than is needed or find that the pipes get clogged.
● Fields need to be well fenced. Animals can damage the system: livestock can trample and
damage pipes, and small vermin can gnaw pipes in their search for water. Fencing should be
designed to exclude larger and small animals.
● Farmers need to have access to a reliable water source.
● Filling the bucket/drum, which is mounted high up, can present a challenge. You may need a
ladder or another system.
● Drip kits are usually made from imported materials, so they are not yet available everywhere.
If replacement parts are hard to find, farmers may have to abandon the system
Are there many different kinds of drip irrigation kits?
The kit depends on the size of the area to be watered. People with small home gardens can grow
vegetables in the dry season with a bucket kit. A 20 litre bucket, hung 1m above the vegetable bed
and attached to a 30m pipe, can water 100 plants. Two bucket kits will produce more than enough
vegetables for a family of seven, helping them to eat more healthy food. However, some projects
have found that the labour and water savings made by bucket kit systems are quite small, and they
may not produce a surplus of crops to sell.
People with bigger vegetable gardens could invest in a drum kit. A 200 litre drum placed at a height
of 1metre can provide water to over 500 plants. Farmers can get even larger systems with a
1000 litre drum placed 3m above the crops. This can supply water to a 15 x 30m plot. When used to
water high value crops, large kits can help farmers make more money.
How can I find out more?
Contact agricultural extension workers and relevant NGOs to find out if drip irrigation kits are sold in
your area. If you can, get involved in projects that are experimenting with this technology. Drip kit
suppliers should give training and guidelines for use with different crops.