Low Cost Drip Irrigation System: An Appropriate Technology for Rural Women

Abstract

Despite contributing 80% of the food production in developing countries, women receive only partial support for their efforts. There has been, however, a significant shift in the approach towards well being of women from “welfare during fifties”, to “development during seventies” to “empowerment during nineties” and to “participation during 2000”. Women are also expected to face challenges in food security due to the lack of access to technology. This is because men are more likely to look for work and women have to manage their farm as well as homes. Drip irrigation technology is not only suitable for large farms but also for kitchen gardening. It is also appropriate for operation by women as it does not require use of spade etc as in conventional irrigation. The development of reliable low cost drip system that fits the needs of women farmers in India has long been recognized as a critical need. Three low head drip systems were designed and standardized for vegetables cultivation covering area of 50 to 600 m2 area. Developed systems having bucket, drum, main pipes, portable laterals, and drippers. The drip system operates by gravity from a bucket of 25 litre capacity placed at 1 to 1.5 m height, a drum of 200 litres capacity placed at 3-meter height and drum of 1000 litres capacity placed at a height of 4 meter. About 25 to 50 plants of vegetables can be irrigated by using the single system. This technology is very ideal for rural conditions and small scale agricultural production besides back yard vegetable cultivation in village houses. The management of the bucket kit system is very easy and requires no special skills. Forty (40) family low cost drip systems were installed in the backyards of homes in selected villages especially in those houses where farm women were keen to maintain. Results of these family drip systems are very encouraging. Different bucket kits produced 150 kg of bottle gourd, 90 kg of bitter gourd, 75 kg of okra in one season (March to June). Vegetables production through low cost family drip system and conventional drip system will help achieve nutritional security at village level at nominal cost besides empowerment of rural women.