The Group Priya Natarajan Terri Harris Curran Hughes Elias Marvinney Paul Polak (Not in Group but worth mentioning)

The Problem: D-Lab 1 Photo: Brian Shaad Map: Wikipedia

D-Lab 2: Evaluate and compare the different low-cost micro-sprinkler and drip systems, recommended from D-Lab 1, for their applicability to smallholder farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India. How do these technologies work? What are the limits of these technologies? Do farmers really need these technologies? If yes, how can these technologies be integrated with current practices? A framework to conduct an independent evaluation of these systems with crops over the summer.

Financial: Affordable at $40/month? Payback in one growing season? Long term profits? Financial: Affordable at $40/month? Payback in one growing season? Long term profits? Environmental: Reducing water consumption? Reducing fertilizer use? Improving Soil Quality? Environmental: Reducing water consumption? Reducing fertilizer use? Improving Soil Quality? Technical: Technology now available to small holders Improved Crop Management New technologies for the Indian irrigation market Applicable to US market? Technical: Technology now available to small holders Improved Crop Management New technologies for the Indian irrigation market Applicable to US market? Social: Improve Livelihoods Impact on social structure? Better Nutrition? Social: Improve Livelihoods Impact on social structure? Better Nutrition? Designed for the Market?

Defining the Problem… Improve existing flood irrigation practices. Test and understand existing drip irrigation technologies. Test and understand existing sprinkler and micro-sprinkler technologies. Test different water conveyance systems for drip and sprinkler systems. Develop a low pressure fertigation system. Design a new type of drip irrigation system that could be shared by farmers.

A few of those ideas… A) B) C)

What we looked at: Chapin Living Water System, also distributed by JAIN Irrigation Ltd. Driptech drip-Irrigation Systems International Development Enterprises Various Micro Sprinklers from JAIN and other companies (Olson, Bowsmith and IDE).

Comparing the Systems Drip-Systems: – Test gravity fed systems from a height of 1 meter (approx. psi = 1.43) – Quantitative Measures: Uniformity of Distribution (system efficiency) Flow Rates – Qualitative Measures: Performance Ease of set up Operation and maintenance Mobility of system

Comparing the Systems Micro-Sprinkler Systems: – Quantitative Measures: Flow Rates from different water sources: – Constant 10 psi from city water – Treadle Pump (Average 10 psi) – Gravity fed (height of 1.91 meters, approx. psi = 2.73) – Qualitative Measures: Performance Ease of set up Operation and maintenance Mobility of system

Setting up the tests

The Tests

Test Inconsistencies It took a few tests to establish accurate measuring We had to reconfigure a lot of the equipment Some tests were done in the rain One of the Olson spinners had an insect in it for a few tests. Leaks sometimes skewed results. Driptech test (the final test) was the model test Lets look at the raw data!

Example Raw Results: Chapin Bucket Kit

Impact of distance from water source on emitter flow rates -(for 4 different types of IDE drip tapes)

Which Sprinklers work with 1.9 meters of water head (2.73 psi)?

What were we hoping to find? Drip Systems: – What is the efficiency of low cost systems? i.e. distribution uniformity – How much water do they put out? i.e. flow rate Micro Spinklers – Do they operate according to manufacturers recommendations? – How do they operate with delivery methods available in developing countries e.g. low pressure city system, treadle pump and gravity fed

Can Gravity Drip Systems Reach 90% Distribution Uniformity? U.S. Norm: 90%

What are Gravity Drip System Flow Rates?

Which system was designed for developing countries? Not Tested

Qualitative Data “[Driptech] looked like an affordable option, but it has some disadvantages like non- uniformity of drops…we had to rub one of the drip-holes…extrapolating this to a bigger field, I don't think farmers would like to spend their time checking and rubbing who knows how many drip-holes!!” – Catalina Gerstmann, UC Davis International Ag. Development Student

“I would say that the treadle pump may be more effective for different crops, but I would probably prefer the bucket system if it were my farm, since the work is not as constant and the set-up is fairly easy.” – Terri Harris UC Davis Community and Rural Development Student

“The thing I like about this [Driptech] drip line compared to the other stuff we normally use (which seems like a more rigid plastic), is that this drip line seems to roll up very easily. This could be good if the drip line were to be used over again or moved between different fields.” – Jessica Sharkey UC Davis International Ag. Development Student

Qualitative Results The Olson Spinner stopped working for a few days because it had an earwig in it (not a problem with other sprinklers). The Chapin system was difficult to modify and move. The IDE tapes were really thin, and we kept puncturing them by accident. The IDE system was fed off a bag with a pump, so no bucket drilling necessary. Most systems were transportable if set up correctly (& Subaru Friendly) Driptech was nifty

What we learned? System capabilities Optimal conditions – (possibly increasing the height of the buckets for the drip systems). Issues facing the set up and maintenance of the systems. Potential crop applications: – e.g. Chapin would not be good for water intensive crops (no ability to catch up with watering).

Did we answer our question? We got specs on the low cost systems. Are these systems appropriate for use in India? – Recommend Driptech and IDE products Could other products be used? – Possibly, the Jain micro-sprinklers showed promise. Photo: driptech.com

Future Steps Irrigation Team: Analyze impact sprinklers (IDE & others) with different water delivery methods. Redo all tests in a similar fashion to the Driptech test and publish the accurate results. Understand farming practices in our target sites in India (June 8 th -24 th ). Independent evaluation of these systems on crops recording yield and labor data. D-Lab: Investigate fertigation and local fertilizer production. Develop a business model for VDI/MGP model to disseminate these technologies.

Acknowledgments D-Lab & Kurt Kornbluth Paul Polak Andy Vermouth (IDE) Genevieve Porter (Kickstart: treadle pump) Jessica Martin, Sarah Huber and Peter Frykman (Driptech) Ethan Grundberg, Raoul Adamchack & Mark Van Horn (student farm) Dylan Keith (General Help) Rebekah Moses, Catalina Gerstmann, Elana Peach-Fine, Jessica Sharkey, Hussein Sharifi, Janel Wright (Driptech test).