Difference between revisions of "Irrigation - Spray head"

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==Acknowledgements==
 
==Acknowledgements==
 
* [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CFoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.siminet.org%2Fimages%2Fpdfs%2Fsprayirrigation.pdf&ei=Dan8T5nFJ8mK2gXg9rnJCA&usg=AFQjCNETEhXHL1VdgxGT1YieeS-GPnH9Dw&sig2=9BeFd14tNvqJqf2abS7Nng Efficiency, cost, optimization and spread of spray irrigation in West Africa.]
 
* [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CFoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.siminet.org%2Fimages%2Fpdfs%2Fsprayirrigation.pdf&ei=Dan8T5nFJ8mK2gXg9rnJCA&usg=AFQjCNETEhXHL1VdgxGT1YieeS-GPnH9Dw&sig2=9BeFd14tNvqJqf2abS7Nng Efficiency, cost, optimization and spread of spray irrigation in West Africa.]
* [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nwp.nl%2F_docs%2Fpublicaties%2FSmart_Water_Solutions_ENG_2006.pdf&ei=tKv8T_e6IYTiqgHOy4iLCQ&usg=AFQjCNE9tTXI9rJyLrJCYiS2z9bWSPnK5Q&sig2=ErJBEzlYeSUQV5erv2BWcw SmartWater Solutions: Examples of innovative, low-cost technologies for wells, pumps, storage, irrigation and water treatment.] Netherlands Water Partnership.
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* [http://www.washdoc.info/docsearch/title/124276 SmartWater Solutions: Examples of innovative, low-cost technologies for wells, pumps, storage, irrigation and water treatment] or ([http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nwp.nl%2F_docs%2Fpublicaties%2FSmart_Water_Solutions_ENG_2006.pdf&ei=tKv8T_e6IYTiqgHOy4iLCQ&usg=AFQjCNE9tTXI9rJyLrJCYiS2z9bWSPnK5Q&sig2=ErJBEzlYeSUQV5erv2BWcw alternative link). Netherlands Water Partnership.

Revision as of 05:44, 21 November 2012

Spray head icon.png
Spray irrigation for urban market gardening in Mali. Photo: Netherlands Water Partnership.

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.
- relatively low investment cost per unit area
- widespread availability of equipment
- well adapted to situations with multiple low-yielding wells, requiring the equipment to be shifted every 15 to 30 minutes
- possibly enhanced plant growth and yield
- negligible problems of rodent damage or theft
- no emitters, so no emitter clogging
- African farmers quickly take up the technology

- labour requirement could be high

Construction, operations and maintenance

Options for optimization:

  • reduce the price of equipment, including that of accessories, such as layflat hose;
  • improve spraying head efficiency;
  • improve pump efficiency;
  • improve engine efficiency; and
  • replace the petrol pump with a treadle pump.

Costs

US$ 2 - 5 for a spray-head. US$ 300 - 600 for a unit with petrol pumps.

Field experiences

Location: West Africa.

Manuals, videos, and links

Acknowledgements