There are 5 reliable types of irrigation systems in Kenya that support cultivation of crops in areas that receive inadequate rainfall. These irrigation systems include drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, rain hose irrigation, Button drip irrigation and overhead irrigation.
In this article, we are going to discuss these irrigation systems, why they are efficient, soil suitability, crop specific uses, advantages, costs and shortcomings.
Where to Buy Different Types of Irrigation Systems in Kenya
Aqua Hub LTD deals in installation of sustainable types of irrigation systems in Kenya including drip irrigation, sprinkler and rain hose irrigation. We are the top-rated supplier of irrigation systems and accessories in Kenya. Our focus is on providing not only smallholders but also commercial farmers with sustainable solutions to enhance high quality and yield of their produce.
Call 0790719020
Cost of Irrigation Systems in Kenya
The cost of Drip Irrigation Systems in Kenya is between KES 140,000 – KES 180,000 per acre depending on the number of lines per bed.
5 Types of Irrigation Systems in Kenya
Drip Irrigation Systems
A Method or technique of irrigation to directly dispense water on the immediate root zones of the plant. Special tubes with emitters placed evenly are laid on the plant lines and connected to water supply pipes. Drip irrigation is known to be effective in highly profitable short season crops such as tomato, onion, garlic, capsicum, strawberries and leafy greens.
Advantages of Drip Irrigation Systems
- Drip irrigation systems save a lot of water due to direct root zone delivery.
- Lowers the rate of soil erosion and evaporation.
- Equal distribution of water to the entire farm
- Prevents contact of moisture with the leaves and thus no risk of fungal infections
- It prevents nutrients leaching from the soil.
- Directly leads to premium quality and high yield of harvests.
Sprinkler Irrigation systems
Sprinkler irrigation involves supplying water to crops through an overhead method by using sprinklers connected to a hose pipe and supported by tall metal stands. Sprinklers are available for different crop specific applications. Examples of sprinklers include impact sprinklers, rain gun sprinklers, flange rain guns, butterfly sprinklers, micro sprinklers and sprayers. This technique is ideal for tall crops such as maize, sorghum, cotton, barley, Napier grass, lucerne grass, lawn fields and sugar cane.
Types of Irrigation Sprinkler Systems
Pop-up Sprinklers
Special types of sprinklers for watering lawn grasses and gardens. Desirable for their wide coverage and pop-up operation for start and completion of irrigation. Pop-up sprinklers are designed to operate automatically through smart controllers and sensors.
Specifications of Pop-up Sprinklers
- Available in sizes of ¾,1 and 1 ½ inch sizes.
- Hard Plastic body design.
- Non-corrosive steel body design sprinkler also available
- Nozzle size varies from 8 – 27 mm
- Height of 18 to 20 cm
- Pop-up height ranges from 2- 12 inch
- Spray radius; 8 – 12 m for ¾ inch size, 12 – 20 m for 1 inch and 20 -28 m for 1 ½ inch.
Impact Sprinklers
Plastic or brass sprinklers that irrigate crops through a rainfall-like discharge manner which rotates the head using the force of incoming water. The body of the impact sprinklers are made of rigid plastic material to enhance long lasting use.
Specifications of impact sprinklers
- Available inlet sizes of ½, ¾ and 1 inch
- Works on pressure rates of 1.5 to 5 bars.
- Flow rates; 22 – 36 L/min for 1 inch and 55 – 78 L/min for 1 inch
Rain Gun Sprinklers
Types of sprinkler irrigation systems are used to irrigate large areas because of their wide coverage spray radius. Rain Guns are ideal for tall crops with high water needs such as corn, sorghum, sugarcane, Nappier grass, cotton, tea plantations, coffee, fruit gardens and cocoa farms. Also supported by stands made of stainless steel.
Specifications of Rain Guns
- Made of stainless brass body metal
- It has 2-4 nozzles for thorough irrigation.
- Works under high pressure generated by a high-pressure pump.
- Available in sizes of 32mm, 50mm and 63 mm inlet diameter.
Benefits of Rain Gun Systems
- Uniform rate of irrigation for all plants
- Covers a large area because of the large radius of flow
- High flow rates thus sufficient watering
- You need a few rain guns, just 3 for an acre of land.
- Compatible with different range of crops.
Advantages of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems
- Even distribution of water.
- It is affordable and very easy to connect.
- Sprinklers are easier to maintain and use.
- Provides sufficient watering because of wide coverage.
Rain Hose Irrigation Systems
Rain Hose Irrigation Systems is a method of irrigation that involves watering crops in an overhead spray manner. The spray overhead effect is possible using a laser punched hose pipe with numerous perforations at different intervals. Rain Hose Irrigation is best for irrigation of vegetables, animal feeds (fodder, Napier grass, Bhoma Rodes, lucerne), rice, wheat and fruit trees.
Types of Rain Hose Pipe Irrigation Systems
Available in different diameter sizes with varying flow rates and radius of flow.
| Rain Pipe Diameter | Flow Rate | Radius of Flow |
| 32 mm | 13 m³/hr. | 3 m |
| 40 mm | 16 m³/hr. | 5 m |
| 50 mm | 22 m³/hr. | 7 m |
Advantages of Rain Hose Irrigation Systems
- Cheap compared to drip irrigation method
- Installation and maintenance are much easier.
- Lower chance of clogging due to high pressure
- It is ideal for irrigating a wide range of crops
- Rain hose pipes are light and easy to move about
- Irrigation is uniform due to the equal intervals of rain pipe lase holes
- It works under both low gravity and high-water pump pressure
Button Drip Irrigation
Button drip Irrigation system is a technique of distributing water to plants on a line using drippers (special caps) connected to a delivery PE pipe. The drippers release water in the form of canopy sprays through its emitter holes. Button drippers are installed in equal intervals along the pipe. The method is suitable for high water requirement plants like coffee plants, apples, avocado, paw paws, citrus, bananas, cassava, mango and arrow roots.
Specifications of Button Drippers
- Made of durable polythene plastic materials
- Flow rates range from 0 – 70 L per hour.
- Operating Pressure range of 0.5 – 3 bars
Advantages of the Button Dripper system
- Adjustable flow rate enhances optimal irrigation.
- Cheaper compared to other systems
- Low labor needs
- Easy to install, maintain and repair.
Furrow Irrigation Systems
Irrigation methods that rely on trenches dug along the plant lines to direct water to the farm. Crops are grown on the ridges. This technique is suitable for sugarcane, potato, arrow roots, corn, sunflower, and soybeans.
Advantages include:
- Usually results in a higher yield
- Low cost of irrigation
- Saves on time and labour
Factors to Consider when Choosing Ideal Types of Irrigation Systems
Soil Type
Different soils have different water holding and retention capacities. Sandy soils are more permeable and requires frequent irrigation than clay soils. Soil salinity and fertility is also another thing to consider. If your soil is less fertile you might need to consider drip irrigation to enhance target root zone fertilizer application.
Crop Type
Various crops require varying amounts of water for proper germination and growth. Crops with high water needs means you need an irrigation method with high flow rates. Some crops prone to leaf rots and fungal infections require micro irrigation or drip irrigation methods. For tall crops you should consider overhead irrigation methods.
Water source
The type and reliability of your water source determines which method of irrigation you settle for. If you have don’t have a stable water supply, you should consider drip irrigation as it is water saving.
Cost of Irrigation
The cost of purchasing and installing an irrigation system is another thing to consider. Go for a system that you can afford to set up and operate effectively.
Farm or Land Size
The size of your land determines which method is ideal to use. For example, let’s say you are growing maize, and you want to irrigate using sprinklers. If your farm is large, you would consider rain gun sprinklers rather than micro-sprinklers.
