Irrigation Technologies
Simple irrigation technologies can have the capacity to improve significantly the survival of seedling and young trees in the nursery and field. Following is a brief description of some of these technologies, including Irrigation Bucket Kits that are provided, for free, by the World Seed Program.
Irrigation Bucket Kits
The World Seed Program provides small-scale irrigation bucket kits at no charge to those who need them for reforestation efforts. These kits can be used to water tree nurseries, vegetable gardens or young trees in the field. The kits, developed by Chapin Living Waters (www.chapinlivingwaters.org), contain the necessary materials to make an irrigation system using an ordinary 20-liter bucket (not provided in the kit) and instructions on how to set them up. The irrigation system works by gravity, the bucket is mounted one meter above the ground and connected to drip tapes that are placed on the ground next to where the plants are to be located. The bucket usually has to be filled twice daily for the plants to get enough water.
To request a free irrigation bucket kit, send an email to: newforestseeds@newforests.org.
Or write to:
World Seed Program Coordinator
New Forests Project
1025 Vermont Avenue NW, 7 th floor
Washington DC 20005 USA
Please include the following information:
- Name:
- Organization (if applicable):
- Email:
- Address:
- What will the irrigation kits be used for?
- Have you received previous support from the New Forests Project? (if yes, please clarify of what type)
One of our beneficiaries in Haiti installing an irrigation kit
Deep Pipe Irrigation Systems
Deep pipe irrigation system is a simple to build, low-cost and very effective irrigation methodology that can be used to water tree seedlings. It has the potential to greatly increase the survival rate of young plants. The system is based on using a pipe with holes in it that is placed vertically in the ground next to the plants. The water is delivered through the holes directly to the root area of the seedlings. This promotes the growth of deeper roots that are less susceptible to drought. In agroforestry systems, it can also reduce competition for water with other intercropped seasonal plants. This irrigation method can be built from easily available, low-cost materials. For more information on how this system works and how to build it visit the website Agroforestry.net and click on Free Publications; or use the following link: Deep Pipe Irrigation
Small-Scale Irrigation Pumps
In the past years, water pumps that are simple to install and use have been developed to help with the water needs of poor farmers in developing countries. Treadle pumps, for example, are human-powered pumps that can irrigate small plots of land and that can be manufactured and maintained at low costs. For more information on these technologies, visit the following websites:
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