Irrigation and Drainage Management TIMPs

Solar irrigation systems for smallholder farmers

This is a technology that uses solar power in the pumping of irrigation water and running of the irrigation systems.

 

Drip Irrigation Systems
  • This is a technology that supplies water to plants grown in solid substrates in small controlled drops. 
  • It allows the optimal usage of the limited water resource by dripping water slowly into the crop roots at low pressure through a number of emission points (drippers). 
  • Saves water by minimizing evaporation losses and delivering water at the root zone where it is required. 
  • It also provides the opportunity for farmers to increase crop yields. 
  • It’s easy to design and operated. 
  • The layout can either be above surface or buried below the surface.

 

Layout of a drip irrigation system in vegetables

Hydroponics Systems
  • Hydroponic farming is soilless farming system that utilizes inert media as an anchor to the crop and a rich nutrient solution applied for the growth of the plant.
  • This utilizes a small area and accommodates higher crop population than the conventional method of farming.
  • Use of locally available soilless media such as pumice, coco peat contributes into the reduction of the cost of production such as weeding, water usage, soil analysis and more.

Sensor-Based Drip Irrigation
  • Comprises of four modules namely; the solar power supply module, the programmed micro-controller module, soil moisture probes module and the motorized ball balls module.
  • The modules are linked together and packaged as a unit in a wheel barrow to facilitate easy mobility of the system to different section of the land under.
Contacts

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization

P.O. Box 57811-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

Call: 0111010100