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

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

An irrigation system that delivers small-sized water droplets through a rotating head allowing longer watering time with less runoff

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Micro-sprinkler irrigation is an efficient and alternative method of irrigation for high value cash crops. It has been demonstrated in the Jhikhu Khola watershed (JKW) in Nepal’s middle mountains by the People and Resource Dynamics in Mountain Watersheds of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas Project (PARDYP). The NGO International Development Enterprises (IDE-Nepal) has assisted private companies to assemble and market micro-irrigation systems.
Micro sprinklers are available in a variety of configurations. They operate at a low-pressure, with water delivered at a pressure equivalent to 10-20m of head, and at a low discharge rate of 0.1-0.2 lps - equivalent to the average discharge of a 1/2 inch size public tap. A pre-assembled micro-irrigation system generally consists of 4 to 8 sprinkler heads at 4m intervals connected by half inch piping. Micro sprinklers are most suitable for closely cropped vegetables like onion and garlic. PARDYP demonstrated, tested, and promoted the system to show land users the potential to use irrigation water very efficiently, which is important because water is in short supply for much of the year after the monsoon finishes in September. In the test area, much of the land is left fallow after the monsoon crops have been harvested as it is difficult to grow winter crops because of the lack of irrigation
water.
The system is easy to install and move around. It needs a reliable source of water, such as a water harvesting tank or a tap, located about 10-20m above the field to be irrigated. A water tank can be installed at the appropriate height to give an adequate water head. The preassembled micro-sprinkler heads are inserted into the ground on a support stand and are connected to the water source via a conveyance pipe. The water passes through a filter before entering the sprinkler heads to prevent the sprinklers becoming clogged up; the system needs regular cleaning.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Nepal

Further specification of location:

Kavrepalanchowk/ Jhikhu Khola watershed

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

• 0.1-1 km2

Map

×

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Pre-assembled micro-irrigation technology, which was demonstrated in the Which khola watershed, was developed by IDE/Nepal in 1998.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• Improve efficiency of water use

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

Cropland

• Annual cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

• cereals - maize
• legumes and pulses - other
• root/tuber crops - potatoes
• seed crops - sesame, poppy, mustard, other

• wheat, tomatoes

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 3

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 150; Longest growing period from month to month: Jun - Oct; Second longest growing period in days: 120; Second longest growing period from month to month: Nov - Feb

Comments:

major cash crop: Tomato and potato
major food crop: Maize and wheat
other: Legumes and mustard

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Insufficient irrigation water during winter and the pre-monsoon season (November-May). Insufficient farm income due to small landholdings, and soil health deterioration due to increased inputs of chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Irrigation water shortage for the crops grown during winter and premonsoon months.

Type of cropping system and major crops comments: Maize- Wheat /vegetables

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

management measures

• M2: Change of management/ intensity level

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

• Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion

Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Main causes of degradation: change of seasonal rainfall

Secondary causes of degradation: droughts

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 6 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

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

Comments:

Machinery/ tools: measuring tape, hammer

The cost was calculated for unit technology with all necessary components (pipes, filter, fittings, stand ) and 4 micro sprinkler heads, which is sufficient to irrigate 250 sq. m. area. Cost estimated in 2006.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The system itself is a dominating factor affecting the cost.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is very low - low

Soil drainage / infiltration is medium

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated): Also good drinking water. More in rainy season (June- September), less in April/May; source: natural spring

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 200-500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

15% of the land users are rich and own 35% of the land.
50% of the land users are average wealthy and own 25% of the land (as classified by the land users).
35% of the land users are poor and own 40% of the land.

Off-farm income specification: In most farm households, off-farm income plays at least a minor and increasingly a major role. Occasional opportunities for off-farm income present themselves in the form of daily

Market orientation of production system: Mostly vegetables.

Level of mechanization: Only vegetables are grown with this technology.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

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

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Soil

Other ecological impacts

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

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

Climatological disasters

Hydrological disasters

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Comments:

The table shows the perceptions of land users who accepted the technology with incentives from the PARDYP project. The short-term benefits are positive even if users have to buy the system themselves.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• > 50%

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

515 households in an area of 0.1 - 1 sq km. (200 - 500 persons / sq km)

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

• 91-100%

Comments:

3% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

15 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: survey results

97% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

500 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: survey results

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: About 80% of the implementers explained that they have seen neighbors using the sprinkle system so there is a growing trend of adoption. Some farmers were using the technology even before it was introduced by the project.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

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

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

ICIMOD (2007) Good Practices in Watershed Management, Lessons Learned in the Mid Hills of Nepal. Kathmandu: ICIMOD

Available from where? Costs?

ICIMOD