Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

LOW COST DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM: AN APPROPRIATETECHNOLOGY FOR RURAL WOMEN

Neelam Patel and Bandana Sachan

Abstract

Despite contributing 80% of the food production in developing countries, women receive only partial supportfor their efforts. There has been, however, a significant shift in the approach towards well being of womenfrom “welfare during fifties”, to “development during seventies” to “empowerment during nineties” andto “participation during 2000”. Women are also expected to face challenges in food security due to the lackof access to technology. This is because men are more likely to look for work and women have to managetheir farm as well as homes. Drip irrigation technology is not only suitable for large farms but also forkitchen gardening. It is also appropriate for operation by women as it does not require use of spade etc asin conventional irrigation. The development of reliable low cost drip system that fits the needs of womenfarmers in India has long been recognized as a critical need. Three low head drip systems were designedand standardized for vegetables cultivation covering area of 50 to 600 m2 area. Developed systems havingbucket, drum, main pipes, portable laterals, and drippers. The drip system operates by gravity from abucket of 25 litre capacity placed at 1 to 1.5 m height, a drum of 200 litres capacity placed at 3-meter heightand drum of 1000 litres capacity placed at a height of 4 meter. About 25 to 50 plants of vegetables can beirrigated by using the single system. This technology is very ideal for rural conditions and small scaleagricultural production besides back yard vegetable cultivation in village houses. The management of thebucket kit system is very easy and requires no special skills. Forty (40) family low cost drip systems wereinstalled in the backyards of homes in selected villages especially in those houses where farm women werekeen to maintain. Results of these family drip systems are very encouraging. Different bucket kits produced150 kg of bottle gourd, 90 kg of bitter gourd, 75 kg of okra in one season (March to June). Vegetablesproduction through low cost family drip system and conventional drip system will help achieve nutritionalsecurity at village level at nominal cost besides empowerment of rural women.