Development of a Low-cost Drip Irrigation System

Abstract

The localized irrigation is the artificial application of water to the root zone of plants for the purpose of supplying the essential moisture requirement for plant growth. The system makes the production and availability of food crops, citrus and vegetables possible throughout the year on small and medium scale basis at an affordable cost. In places and periods of water scarcity, low-cost drip irrigation can be used for the economic growing of vegetables, citrus and food crops all –round the year. This paper aimed at developing a low-cost drip irrigation system to empower the small and medium scale farmers to produce crops during offseason at minimum operational cost with less human efforts. The field area of 126.4 m2 was properly cleared, stumped, ploughed, harrowed and leveled. The leveling was carried out to allow unobstructed flow and evenly distribution of water to the root of plants. The system does not only reduce water loss but also conserve water during the period of scarcity. The controlled moisture available to the plant at low soil tension results in faster growth, higher yields, better quality and more environmentally and health friendly. The system improves the penetration of water into problematic soils and reduces substantially deep percolation and runoff losses. The system also saves water, money, time and makes provision for all- season farming. The topography of the field was flat with its suitable soil texture, texture, retention capacity and pump for this work was designed and selected to be 1 hp. The system was developed using a simple principle of water flow through gravity to drip out water at regulated interval to irrigate farmland. The drum has 214 litres capacity and 121 emitters. The total cost of production was estimated to be ₦50, 790 which is affordable by small and medium scale farmers.