Afar Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Research Institute
(APARI)
Aba’ala Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Research Center
(APARC)
Project proposal on low cost drip irrigation system
Supported by
(UNDP)
June, 2019
Aba’ala
Project title:-: Evaluation and Demonstration of low cost Drip Irrigation System for
Tomato and Onion Production at Agro pastoralist-s Field in Abaala woreda, Afar Region
1. Back ground and justification
Tomato (Lycopersiconesculuntum L.) and Onion (allum cepa) are two of the most important and
widely grown vegetables in Abaala woreda. However, water scarcity is the critical constraint that
impedes the agro pastoralists from cultivation of vegetables crops during the dry season. Thus
the vegetables have to be grown under furrow irrigation system all year round.
Furrow irrigation is one of the oldest methods and it is conducted by creating small
parallel channels along the field length in the direction of predominant slope (Kemper,
1988). The high amounts of water used by the method often results in wastage of water due to
tail water runoff, hence, contributing to low efficiencies (MSUES, 2007). As a result of
the low efficiencies of furrow irrigation system, many farmers across the world have
adopted irrigation systems with higher efficiencies such as drip irrigation. This move has
been successful in crops like tomatoes and onions amongst others.
Drip irrigation is the frequent application of small quantities of water on, above or below the soil
surface by surface drip or subsurface drip (Frenken, 2005). The drip system is characterized by
low flow rate, long duration, frequent irrigation and application of water near or into the root
zone of plants with low pressure delivery systems. The method has gained popularity especially
due to its high efficiency of about 90 % which also results in water savings of approximately 40
to 50 % (UNEP, 2009).
Considering the low efficiencies associated with furrow irrigation systems, there is need for
adoption of new measures for water conservation. The drip irrigation has been proven in other
areas as a water conservation measure, as well as a method of improving yields. However, the
drip irrigation technologies were not promoted and utilized by Agro pastoralists in Abaala
woreda due to lack of awareness and technical knowledge on the technology. Therefore this
study will be conducted to evaluate and demonstrate drip irrigation system on performance of
improved tomato and onion varieties.
Overall Goal
The agricultural productivity in the project target area is increased.
Project Purpose
Water utilization technologies and techniques among agro pastoralists in the project target area
are improved
Objectives:
To introduce efficient irrigation technology to the study area
To improve productivity of vegetables by reducing water stress
To enhance the awareness of agro pastoralists on the benefit of drip irrigation and water
management
Expected outputs
From the above activities it is expected that:
Efficient irrigation technology introduced
Productivity as well as income of agro pastoralists improved
Agro pastoralist-Extension-Research linkage as well as participatory research approach
strengthened
Awareness created on the benefit of drip irrigation and water management among agro
pastoralists
Agro pastoralists’ house hold food security improved
Materials and Methods
Description of Experimental Site
The study will be conducted on agro pastoralists’ farm at wokri gubi and herameli kebelles, in
Abaala woreda of the Afar region. Abaala woreda is located between130 15’ and 130 30’ N
latitude and 390 39’ and 390 53’ E longitude with elevation of 1450 m a.s.l. Climatic condition of
the study site is a semiarid climate with a maximum temperature of 33.00 °C occurring in June
and a minimum temperature of 11.60 °C occurring in November. The study area receives a
bimodal rainfall ranging from 315 to 450 mm/year (with an annual average rainfall of 340 mm)
(Kifle 2004).
Diress et al. (2003) classified the land use of the area into 93.00% of grazing lands, 5.50%
cultivated land, 1.20% wasteland and 0.53% riparian. Thirty three per cent of Aba’ala Woreda is
floodplain of which 16.80% is under cultivation. The remaining 67.14% is ridges and hills
mainly used for grazing or browsing.
Drip Irrigation System Design, Field Layout and Water Application Method
The required amount of irrigation water will be applied by drip irrigation system which will be
connected with a water storing tank. The drip system consisted of water storing tank, main lines;
sub main lines, lateral lines, emitters and filtration. The water from the well will flow to a barrel,
which will be placed at a height of 1.30m (at shoulder height) above the ground to provide the
required water pressure. The main line receives water directly from the barrel. The sub main line
will be connected to the mainline from where it gets its supply. The drip lateral lines in each plot
received equal amount of irrigation water from the sub main line. The tomato spacing will be
equal with emitters spacing found on the laterals which will be 0.30m and row spacing will also
be equal to the spacing of lateral lines which is 0.80m. Transplanting will be under taken at
seedling height of 12-15 cm. Transplanting will be done late in the afternoon to reduce the risk of
poor establishment. 200kg/ha of P2O5 and l00kg/ha of N fertilizer will be applied through
fustigation.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
For effective implementation of the trials, training will be provided for the agro pastoralists, and
development agents on evaluation process, advantage of drip irrigation system for tomato
production, installation of drip irrigation, tomato production and irrigation water management.
Moreover, mini field visit will be organized and given for agro pastoralists and DAs to
demonstrate and create awareness on improved tomato varieties, and drip irrigation technology
in the area.
Field Day and Visits:
Field day and demonstration were organized at crop maturity stage to popularize and create
more awareness for the local communities. The varieties were demonstrated, evaluated and
validated jointly by farmers, agricultural experts, development agents and researchers to select
the best performing variety/ies at crop maturity stage.
Data Collection
Data on Crop phenology (days to crop emergence, flowering, maturity and plant height) and
yield and yield components (fruits per plant, size of fruit and yield/ha) will be collected from
each plot after physiological maturity.
Cost break down
Hand tool and farm input cost breakdown
Tools
Tools measuremen Quantit Unit price Total price remark
t y
Hoe Ps 04 200 800
Spade Ps 04 150 600
Rake Ps 04 120 480
Fork Ps 04 120 480
Meter Ps 01 150 150
Water can Ps 02 200 400
Rope(50m) ps 04 50 200
Total 3110
Farm inputs
Input measurement Quantit Unit price Total price Remark
y
Vegetable seed
-Tomato Gram 2000 100g/20hh
- onion Gram 2000 2500 5000 100g/20hh
2000 4000
Fertilizer
DAP
urea Kg 200 1500 3000
Kg 100 1500 1500
Pesticide liter 5 500 2500
total 16000
-3-
Training cost breakdown
s. number Description Unit m. participant Day Unit Total cost
cost
1 Training
1.2 Trainees Md 20 3 130 7800
1.3 Trainer Md 2 3 231.4 1388.4
1.4 Facilitator translator Md 1 3 231.4 694.2
1.5 DAs Md 2 3 180 1080
Sub total 10962.6
2 Stationary
2.1 Banner Ps 1 200 200
2.2 Note book Ps 25 20 500
2.3 Pen Packet 1 250 250
2.4 Marker packet 1 200 200
Sub total 1150
3 Refreshment items
3.2 Water Bottle 48 3 12 1728
3.3 Sub total 1728
All total 12748
Miscellaneous expenses
[Link] Budget code Item description Budget required
1 Wages 18000
2 Perdium 26500
3 Lubricant and fuel 5500
4 Purchasing and installation of drip irrigation 35200
system
Total 85200
Budget summary
Ser No Item description Budget required
1 Tools 3110
2 Farm inputs 16000
3 Training 10962.6
4 Stationary 1150
5 Refreshment 1728
6 Miscellaneous expenses 85200
Grand total 118150.6
Work plan
