Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the plant through a system of plastic tubes with minimal water loss. Drip systems are often associated with the capital-intensive, commercial farms of more wealthy farmers. The systems used on large farms, however, are unaffordable for smallholders and are not available in sizes suitable for small plots.
Beginning in 1995, IDE developed a variety of low-cost drip irrigation kits that are appropriately sized and affordable for smallholders. The kits, operating under as little as 1 to 2 m of water pressure, are typically used in the production of fruit and vegetable crops but have also been used for maize, wheat, and cotton.
The kits are also expandable so that farmers can start small and scale-up as their financial capacity and experience grows. The irrigation kits range in size from a 20-litre bucket irrigating 25 m² to customized systems covering 1000 m² or more.
Crops irrigated by drip systems show water savings of up to 50 percent resulting in reduced labour and energy costs.
Controlled application of water to the plants suppresses weed growth, further reducing labour costs.
Increased frequency and uniformity of water application plus reduced competition from weeds results in improved plant growth and yield increases of 30 to 50 percent.
Fertilizer use is decreased due to reduced nutrient leaching, reduced runoff losses, and by adding soluble fertilizers directly to the irrigation water.
Drip Irrigation Variations:
Easydrip Flexible thin-walled pipe used for sub-main and laterals. Significantly lower cost. Compact packing for easy transport. Shorter lifespan (1 to 2 years compared to 5 or more years for the regular drip system).
Micro Sprinklers Suitable for closely-spaced crops that cannot be fed by individual drip lines. Requires higher-pressure water source (5-10m). Can be mounted on the ground or overhead. Can be shifted between multiple locations.
Shifting Laterals A single lateral tube is used to irrigate several rows of plants by manually shifting the line between rows. Useful where the cost of plastic tubing is high and the cost of labour is low. Not practical for all crops.
Polak Wins Monito del Giardino Prize
(June 1, 2008) IDE Founder Paul Polak recently traveled to Florence, Italy, to accept the prestigious Il Monito del Giardino prize. The award, which included a €30,000 grant, is presented annually...
Friends of IDE Holds First Meeting
(June 18, 2008) A new group for Denver-area residents who want to get more involved with IDE will hold its first meeting Friday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m...
Polak's Out of Poverty Now Available
(February 15, 2008) In this hard-hitting new book,IDE Founder Paul Polak tells why traditional poverty eradication programs have fallen so short, and how he and his organization developed an alternative approach that has succeeded in lifting 17 million people out of poverty...
IDE Receives Second Grant From Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
(January 25, 2008) IDE today announced a grant of $27 million over four years from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in support of its micro-irrigation programs for Indian smallholder farmers...
