Cheap irrigation systems at Harvest Money expo

Feb 16, 2020

For farmers who have taken part in the 2020 Harvest money expo, they have been introduced to many irrigation systems that are relatively cheap. This will give farmers the breathing space.

 

Farmers having a feel of what irrigation can do. Photos by Karim Ssozi

FARMING

Irrigation is technology that most Ugandan farmers have given little or no attention, yet it is the only solution for the ever changing weather patterns.

The rains are never stable yet most farmers do not have readily available water sources.

 

However, most irrigation systems are expensive hence becoming too expensive for an avearge farmer. For farmers who have taken part in the 2020 Harvest money expo, they have been introduced to many irrigation systems that are relatively cheap. This will give farmers the breathing space.

 

Victoria Nakivumbi, an irrigation engineer from Akvo international Limited, said since most farmers are into small scale agriculture, they need cheap alternatives. 

 

According to Nakivumbi, they have introduced small irrigation systems that can go up to sh800, 000," .We have irrigation machines that are manual. All you need is your energy for pedaling and you are able to irrigate. The machine is able to irrigate at least an acre and after you can shift it to another place," said Nakivumbi.

 

She explained that with the manual machines, you do not have to spend money on fuel or solar to power the system. "The system is also environmentally friendly," she said.

 

According to Nakivumbi, many people have neglected drip irrigation because it is expensive. She however, said they have introduced a simple solar irrigation that is movable.

 

"All you need is to carry your small solar pump and the irrigation system, go to the wherever you are to irrigate and after you take your system back to your house. The machine is portable and also secure since you can store it in your house," she said.

 

The system can irrigate a distance of up to 4kms and gives you 45 liters per minute and  irrigates for the whole day.

 

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