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Evaluation and Improvement of a Low-head Drip Irrigation System to Be Used by Small Scale Farmers in Bangladesh

Azmira Nasrin Riza
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Dhaka

Tangina Akhter
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, Dhaka

Farzana Akhter
Dept. of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Dhaka

Muhammad Abul Khair
Dept. of Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was undertaken to evaluate the low-head drip irrigation system introduced by ARFA Engineering in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted at the Hydraulic Laboratory in the Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agriculture University, Mymensingh. A timber framework (10.2 m long) experimental layout was assembled to support the drip lines at various land slopes (0 to 3.03%). Drip lines were positioned along the timber framework. A mini tank was used as water source and was placed at varying heads (0.5-1.0 m) from which water was allowed to flow through the rubber pipes at different emitters along the lateral lines. To collect the emitter water, catch cans were placed along the drip line directly below the emitters. Data were collected at varying water head, land slope, lateral length. Varying water head, land slope and lateral length affected the result. The experiment showed that for different heads and slopes, EU values are <70% and FV values >20% and a CV value> 0.15 indicating that the performances of this (ARFA) drip irrigation system is very poor and not acceptable to irrigate crops in the field.

Keywords: Low-head, Drip Irrigation, Farmer’s, ARFA

Location: Hydraulic laboratory in the Department of Irrigation and Water Management at Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-11-2011

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Non-commodity: Evaluation, Impact

Objectives:

Specific objectives were to construct an experimental framework in laboratory for evaluating the performance of the ARFA drip irrigation system; to determine the effect of water supply head, land slope and lateral length on emitter discharge along the drip line; and to identify the technical defects of existing ARFA drip systems.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at the Hydraulic laboratory in the Department of Irrigation and Water Management at Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the month of November, 2011. For this purpose, a timber framework (10.2m long) experimental layout was assembled to support the drip lines at various land slopes (0 to 3.03%). The drip lines were positioned along the timber framework. A mini tank was used as water source and was placed at varying heads (0.5-1.0 m) from which water was allowed to flow through the rubber pipes at different emitters along the lateral lines. The tank was placed on a wooden stand, the height of which was changed to achieve varying supply head. To collect the emitter water catch cans was placed along the drip line directly below the emitters. The combined effects of water supply head, lateral slope and lateral length on water distribution along the drip line were evaluated.

Source of Information: J. Sci. Technol. Environ. Inform. 04(01): 251-259| Rizaet al. (2016)

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.18801/jstei.040116.28

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Technical evaluation of the ARFA drip irrigation system has revealed the under varying supply heads and slopes, according to the general performance evaluation criteria (EU, FV and CV), the ARFA drip irrigation system is very inefficient and unacceptable. Due to uncontrolled outlet of the emitter tapes, the emission uniformity is very low causing either over irrigation or under irrigation along different section of drip lines. But the drip kit was found durable and drip laterals were strong enough to withstand rough handling and can only be used with modified emitter tapes. Based on laboratory experiments and ergonomics (the work, an average person can perform conveniently without much physical stress), a water supply source (100 litre drum/mini tank ) placed at a head of about 1.0m will be suitable for row crops planted along the laterals at specified emitter spacing for 200-250 m² plot area. A 200 litre tank may be used for larger plot area of about 500m² depending on crop water requirement; the plot area could further be adjusted by changing the size of water tank and water head. A study may be undertaken to develop or fabricate emitter tape with controlled outlets so that water can be applied to crops according to their need to make the drip irrigation efficient and economic.

Knowledge Management: Journal