Low-cost irrigation to help rural poor

Aid agencies have proposed a low-cost irrigation method that could save thousands of Zimbabwe's communal farmers time, money and energy.

With close to six million people facing critical food shortages, mainly due to adverse weather conditions, the drip-irrigation outreach programme aims to help farmers grow drought resistant crops, such as soya beans, millet, and sorghum.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Zimbabwe NGO Linkages for the Economic Advancement of the Disadvantaged, have already supplied 600 rural households with low-cost drip-irrigation kits for household gardens.

Drip-irrigation (sometimes called trickle irrigation) works by applying water slowly through plastic piping directly to the soil.

Traditional sprinklers throw water in gallons per minute into the air and onto plants where much is lost to evaporation.

In contrast, micro-irrigation emitters apply water slowly - in gallons per hour - close to the soil and roots of plants.

This is said to result in a 70 percent saving in water.

"Unlike sprinklers, drip-irrigation is practically unaffected by wind conditions, nor is it affected by soil surface conditions. Soil is maintained in a continuously moist condition. This reduces the use of fertilisers," a USAID worker told IRIN.

The main advantage, however, is the substantial saving of time and energy.

"Drip-irrigation only requires one trip to the well or borehole to fill the water container. Once the container is full, it can last up to four days, as the water seeps out of plastic piping," she said.

The joint project is aimed at assisting the most vulnerable households.

"The project targets households that have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. So the kits are distributed to homes headed by orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. In most cases, however, we find that the kits are most needed in households where the elderly have become responsible for their grandchildren following the death of a parent from the virus. The kits help to lessen the workload," the official said.

The drip-kit had great potential for commercialisation and at a low price, it would contribute to food security and provide new income for those who employed it, the official said.