Low Cost Drip Irrigation for Rural and Urban Horticulture

1. To identify and develop low cost drip irrigation technologies for small plots, in water constrained regions / locations (say, schools, kitchen / home-stead / roof top gardens), using locally available materials and resources,
2. To assess the water saving against conventional irrigation (where available) when drip irrigation is made available,
3. To estimate the benefit / cost ratio due to drip irrigation technologies.

1. Bucket-kit: Bucket (20 ltrs.) with an outlet / one main pipe (PVC or bamboo) / essential laterals / micro tubes / cloth wrapped punctures / used refills / etc.
2. Drum-kit: Drum (25-100 ltrs.) with an outlet / one main pipe (PVC or bamboo) /essential laterals / micro tubes / cloth wrapped punctures / used refills / etc.
3. Plastic water bottles (punctured / inverted), pitchers (with wicks) above or placed below the soil / canisters / etc.

1. Plot layout, measurement etc. already specified. The layout of the main pipe, can be along the length (row) of the plot, and the laterals can run between two rows of plants, with the drip / nozzle or micro tube / filler (as the case may be), with the nozzle placed near the root zone.
2. Fertilizer application-preferably early in the morning, just before irrigation.
3. Crop care-use organic pesticides, dissolved in water, as and when necessary-tobacco / neem decoration.
4. Measure all labour and materials used in the plot-including household labour of women in the home in fetching water/weeding / harvesting / marketing.
5. Estimate economic benefits and costs
6. Sum of all benefits (food / home consumption + marketed surplus + root growth retained in the soil after harvest + …….) / Sum of all costs (labour + material + land + rent + …….)
7. Check for non-economic benefits and cost:
8. Greater control for women over the small plot, better income and decision-making power for children / women /class (if the plot is in the school), less of chemicals / fertilizers,etc. more choice of vegetables at home etc.
9. Compare the costs of irrigation and crop production in the two plots- conventional and drip irrigated.

Interpretation and use of data

Water-as a scarce resource-compare water saving against conventional irrigation

Ability to find and use local materials for drip / pitcher irrigation.

Benefits of locally available and accessible irrigation system for small plots can be estimated and popularized.

Children and their mothers can develop a small scale water use system, as well as local vegetable / horticulture produce market / use.

Implementation / Follow-up

The project has scope for innovation in all stages-depending on all local conditions, crop choices, urban or rural settings, materials available /modified / purchased / designed.

Innovation with actors / networks-leading to policy makers / local MLA’s to recognize the potential of precision irrigation and its practice in poor rural / urban households / schools / others.

Source: Harness water resources for a better future - Activity Guide for the 13th National Children's Science Congress