Technologies

Home Garden Drip Irrigation [Uganda]

Lino pii poto (Luo-Uganda)

technologies_2801 - Uganda

Completeness: 92%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

land user:

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Scaling-up SLM practices by smallholder farmers (IFAD)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
CDE Centre for Development and Environment (CDE Centre for Development and Environment) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

28/04/2017

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Nee

Comments:

The technology enables landusers to harvest vegetables from the home garden throughout the year.

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Plastic tanks of 50 to 100 liters of water with taps are placed on high platforms. Perforated plastic tubes allow water to flow and drip irrigate vegetable patches. Home gardening, once established can be carried out throughout the year.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Home garden irrigation is a commonly used practice promoted by farmers in Northern Uganda. It allows involving watering of home gardens during periods of unreliable rainfall. To implement this technology, the land user was first trained by the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction ( IIRR ) which provided the initial training to farmers as part of a campaign to promote adaptation to climate change.

50 to 100 liters tanks with taps were placed on a raised platforms. Perforated plastic tubes allow water to flow and drip irrigate vegetable patches.

A water source is needed in order for the irrigation processes to take place. Hence water is pumped by a tredle pump into the plastic tanks. Perforated plastic tubes help to direct water to the gardens grown within the land users plots. In terms of maintenance, the water tank should be cleaned every month so that only uncontaminated water is used for irrigation purposes. Home gardening can be carried out throughout the year if there is enough water available.

With this technology, the most significant costs occur during the establishment phase for the procurement of water tanks. Important to note with this technology as testified by the land user, is that the high cost of water is the most important factor during the hot and dry season while maintenance costs are low once established in the medium and long term thus making the technology good for scaling.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

Comments, short description:

Vegetable garden being irrigated by the land user.

Date:

28/4/2017

Location:

Pader Town Council

Name of videographer:

Betty Adoch

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Uganda

Region/ State/ Province:

Northern Uganda.

Further specification of location:

Town council

Comments:

The GPS point shows the technology site.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2009

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Pineapples, bananas

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • mixed rainfed-irrigated
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Throughout the year water can be harvested.

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • water harvesting
  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area
Comments:

The small area is usually home gardens that are irrigated via drip irrigation.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A1: Vegetation/ soil cover

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
Comments:

Soil erosion can be prevented through a good soil cover facilitated by and an irrigated stand of crops in the home gardens.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • not applicable
Comments:

Drip irrigation system is used to irrigate home gardens at smaller scales only.

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Date:

28/4/2017

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

50 to 100 liters tanks with taps were placed on a raised platforms. Perforated plastic tubes, connected to the tanks, allow the irrigation of home gardens.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:
  • per Technology area
Indicate size and area unit:

4 acres

other/ national currency (specify):

UGX

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

3900.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

3,000shs

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Purchasing a plastic tank Management dry and wet seasons
2. Construction of the tank stand Management dry and wet seasons
3. Filling the tank with water Management dry and wet seasons
4. Purchasing the plastic tubes Management dry and wet seasons

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Man days days 14.0 5000.0 70000.0 100.0
Equipment Water tanks pieces 1.0 350000.0 350000.0 100.0
Equipment Taps pieces 2.0 30000.0 60000.0 100.0
Equipment Plastic tube depending on size pieces 1.0 100000.0 100000.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 580000.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Refilling the tank Management dry and wet seasons
2. Cleaning the tank Management dry and wet seasons

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labourforce Man day 30.0 5000.0 150000.0 100.0
Equipment Repairs of taps Repairs 2.0 30000.0 60000.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 210000.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important cost at establishment phase is the procurement of water tanks followed by labour costs and maintenance in terms repairs.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

1000.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Two rainy season and two dry seasons

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Savanna climate

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • not relevant

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Is water salinity a problem?

Nee

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Nee

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • youth
  • middle-aged

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Due to constant irrigation

crop quality

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Due to constant irrigation and monitoring

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Water retained in the soil for crop production, thus making land management easier.

Water availability and quality

irrigation water availability

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Stored in the water tank

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Due to increased production in the home gardens resulting from irrigation.

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

From harvested quality crops.

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Watering of home gardens using irrigation technology, no manual carrying water for irrigation required.

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Due to increased harvests resulting from irrigation.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Water stored in tanks as described.

water quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

due to constant maintenance

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Water stored in tanks as decribed.

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Water is collected and retained in the tank and used as required.

Soil

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Soil is irrigated by dripping causing no run-off.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

flood impacts

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

water harvested and used as required; no excess water run-off to cause floods.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase moderately
seasonal temperature wet/ rainy season increase moderately
annual rainfall decrease moderately
seasonal rainfall wet/ rainy season

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm moderately
local thunderstorm moderately
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought moderately
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
flash flood moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • single cases/ experimental
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

1 household

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 90-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

Nee

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
The technology is good at conserving water for irrigation during dry spell.
The technology is good at providing soil moisture through constant water infiltration.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Home gardening once established can be carried out throughout the year.
Home irrigation maintains cool breeze and is environmentally friendly.
Maintenance costs are low, making the technology good for scaling.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
It's a slow, thorough watering process. The land user can have other options along side such as routine running water.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Tank Purchase is very expensive. The land user can join group saving associations for loans to purchase tanks on credit.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

01

  • interviews with land users

01

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Improving livelihoods through water for production Ministry of Water and Environment, Episode 2, September 2019

Available from where? Costs?

Online, free of cost

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Tips for Installing drip Irrigation at home

URL:

https://www.savingwater.org/wp-content/uploads/tips-for-installing-drip-irrigation-at-home.pdf

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