Difference between revisions of "Irrigation - Spray head"
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| valign="top" | - High water use efficiency. <br> | | valign="top" | - High water use efficiency. <br> | ||
- Saves energy and labour. <br> | - Saves energy and labour. <br> | ||
| − | | valign="top" | <br> | + | - relatively low investment cost per unit area<br> |
| + | - widespread availability of equipment<br> | ||
| + | - well adapted to situations with multiple low-yielding wells, | ||
| + | requiring the equipment to be shifted every 15 to 30 minutes<br> | ||
| + | - possibly enhanced plant growth and yield<br> | ||
| + | - negligible problems of rodent damage or theft<br> | ||
| + | - no emitters, so no emitter clogging<br> | ||
| + | - African farmers quickly take up the technology | ||
| + | | valign="top" | - labour requirement could be high<br> | ||
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Revision as of 23:19, 10 July 2012
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Spray-head irrigation requires pressure from pedal or motor pumps. In West Africa, the spray-head is mounted on a lay-flat hose connected to a small petrol pump. Spray irrigation is an intermediate option between a watering can and more sophisticated sprinkler or drip irrigation. It has high water use efficiency and saves energy and labour.
Treadle pumps combined with spray-heads are promoted by Approtec in East Africa and Enterprise Works in West Africa.
Due to its simplicity, spray irrigation technology has spread spontaneously from farmer to farmer in West-African countries such as Mali, Niger and Togo. A recent survey in Bamako, Mali, among 80 market gardeners showed that more than 60% used this method.
Suitable conditions
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| - High water use efficiency. - Saves energy and labour. |
- labour requirement could be high |
Construction, operations and maintenance
Costs
US$ 2 - 5 for a spray-head. US$ 300 - 600 for a unit with petrol pumps.
Field experiences
Location: West Africa.
