Farmers take on new methods of irrigation

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 Arusha growers in northern Tanzania have eagerly taken up bucket-drip irrigation, which has in turn proved to be an effective method of farming in an era where space is limited and water is scarce.

 

The technology replaces the ‘carry and irrigate’ method together with treadle pumps, which are commonly used by smallholder farmers in order to irrigate dry season crops such as tomatoes, vegetables and other cereal crops along river banks, dambos and home gardens in the country. 

 

Bucket-drip irrigation system has now started making a difference in the lives of many families on the slopes of Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second tallest peak after Mount Kilimanjaro.

 

Atukuzwe William is among the farmers that have been using bucket-dripping and now spreads word of the easy and cost-effective irrigation system that can help poor people and those with smaller spaces to cut expenses from buying vegetables at family level.  

 

William started working on the idea years ago until last year when he started training people, particularly those living in peri-urban and rural areas.

 

With his not for profit organisation, Positive Eye, William started showcasing the technology at Nane Nane Agricultural exhibitions’ and from there people have embraced the technology. 

 

Hiotherto, he said, there are more people who have taken up bucket-drip irrigation system to water their vegetable gardens. “This technology is simple and one can harvest enough green vegetables and even tomatoes in the smallest of yards,” he says, adding that the system assures people of quality yields.

 

“It provides quick returns on a small investment and the sale of vegetables can provide an income all year round,” he adds.

The ‘bucket kit’ contains a simple filter and two drip lines each 15 meters long. Growers supply their own bucket and post. Water flows down from the bucket through the filter into the lines, and then drips onto the soil next to the plants. This system makes efficient use of precious water.

 

Experts have noted that bucket-drip irrigation is a highly efficient way to water crops as it saves time and helps to conserve water. 

The system delivers water directly to the root zone of a plant, where it seeps slowly into the soil one drop at a time. 

 

Water is rarely lost through surface runoff or evaporation and soil particles have plenty of opportunity to absorb and hold water for plants.

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