Drip irrigation for kitchen gardens in dry areas
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2022-02-06 07:41 Updated: 2022-02-14 08:12
Compilers: Daler Domullodzhanov
Reviewers: William Critchley, Rima Mekdaschi Studer
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Tajikistan
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Promotion of low-pressure drip irrigation kits among vulnerable women-led households in dry agrolandscapes of Southern Tajikistan has helped to fight desertification, improve food security and enhance economic opportunities.
Detailed description of the Technology
Low-pressure drip irrigation systems or Family Farm Drip Irrigation (FFDI) kits including water tanks and high-quality planting materials were distributed in the framework of an FAO project. The project aimed at enhancing food production by providing affordable irrigation solutions in dry and saline agrolandscapes of the Central Asian region. The FFDI systems were distributed to 60 women-led households in Khatlon province of Tajikistan. Additionally FFDI systems were installed in eight demonstration plots of organizations and state institutes. The beneficiaries were identified according to selection criteria to best contribute to food security and livelihood improvement through these affordable irrigation solutions. They were trained in irrigation and crop husbandry through a workshop, and their irrigation and plant production activities were monitored. Despite problems with pest management, vulnerable women-headed farms in the climate change affected areas increased crop productivity by 50% and harvested 2 crops a year. Vegetables were the crops of focus, and the average area irrigated was 300m2. Moreover, the application of the mulching helped to preserve more moisture and it helped to reduce irrigation norms by 25-30 per cent. For mulching, wheat straw and/or flax straw with a thickness of 7-10 cm was used. The FFDI system is affordable, does not require pumping, is easy to install and move, is easily adjustable and is supported by an installation kit. However, it does require relatively clean irrigation water. It is recommended to test expanded FFDI systems to continue the promotion of SLM and produce more food.
Photos of the Technology
- 📍 Yovon dictrict
- 🗓 2019-11-09
- 📷 Daler Domullodzhanov