Drip irrigation systems are suitable for specific types of crops. It is suitable for various crops which normally cover smaller areas or patterns.
Choosing the recommended crops for drip irrigation enhances the chances of a bumper harvest since all the necessary conditions for growth and production are met.
Why Drip Irrigation in Kenya
Drip irrigation is an irrigation system like no other, with better water supply to root zones of plants unlike other irrigation systems.
Bringing water close to the root zone makes it easier for absorption by the roots thus allowing faster growth.
Drip Layout Options
Surface Drip
surface drip method works with pipes, valves and emitters laid on the surface or above the ground.
Sub-surface Drip
Sub-surface drip irrigation has mainlined pipes, and emitter pipes buried under the ground and emitter pipes installed on the soil surface.
Principle of Drip Irrigation
You only need to connect mainline pipes, submain-line pipes, emitter pipes, valves, and filters to form a water supply system.
What Makes Drip Irrigation a better method?
- It is possible to supply soluble fertilizers to crops using drip irrigation.
- Drip irrigation allows equal and balance in water supply to crops.
- Evaporation rates and water loss percentages are lower since less patterns of soil gets wet.
- You can easily set up and maintain drip irrigation systems compared to other methods.
- Drip irrigation systems are cheap to use since they supply under gravity, no fuel is needed.
Factors to Consider for Crops suitability
To determine better crops for irrigation using drip method we need to understand certain factors of considerations.
- Type of Soil and Structure of Soil- Different types of soil have different water retention levels. Drip Irrigation requires fine soil that can hold water and with good drainage.
- Water Requirements for a Crop – The water requirement determines whether to use drip irrigation or not.
- Type of Land – The topography of an area matters when it comes to drip irrigation. Flat land is suitable for drip irrigation.
Drip irrigation Layout
- 1 line per bed – single drip emitters in a bed
- 2 lines per bed – 2 drip emitters in a bed
- 3 lines per bed – 3 drip emitter pipes in a bed
Crops Suitable for Drip Irrigation
- Fruits and trees such as apples, citrus, oranges, grapes, and strawberries. Tree seedlings are also watered using drip irrigation.
- Vegetable such as spinach, kales, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, peppers, lettuce, eggplants, cucumbers, and carrots
- Herbs and Spices such as oregano, mint, and basil.
How To Boost Crop Production Through Drip Irrigation
- Customizing your drip irrigation schedule according to your crop water requirements and soil water retention levels.
- Choosing an appropriate spacing of drip emitter holes and layout of drip irrigation
- Supplying fertilizer to plants through drip irrigation system.
How much to Obtain a Drip Irrigation Kit
Drip Irrigation kits prices vary depending on the size of the farm you want to work with. Normal cost per acre of farm are different
| Size / Lines Per Bed | 1 Line | 2 Lines | 3 Lines |
| 1 Acre | 65,000 | 95,000 | 130,000 |
| 1/2 Acre | 30,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 |
| 1/4 Acre | 16,000 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| 1/8 Acre | 10,000 | 15,000 | 20,000 |
Where to Purchase Drip Irrigation Kits in Kenya
Aqua Hub Kenya
Call 0790719020
