1. SUPPLEMENTARY IRRIGATION AT CSIR CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE BY PATRICIA OTENG-DARKO CSIR-CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN-HOUSE REVIEW AND RESEARCH PLANNING 20 TH MARCH, 2012

2. Team Members o Mrs. P. Oteng-Darko o Dr. Hans Adu-Dapaah o Dr. E. Annan Afful o Mr. B. M. Dzomeku o Mr. S. K. Amponsah o Mr. Samuel Adu o Mr. N. K. Amengor o Mr. T. K. Nkrumah o Mr. Micheal Odamptey

3. INTRODUCTION The CSIR-Crop Research Institute sourced financial assistance from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); To expand the irrigation facilities on the research fields with the main aim of ensuring continued irrigation of research fields all–year round.

4. OBJECTIVES The overall objective of the project was to enhance the crop improvement and technology development capacity of the Crops Research Institute. The specific objectives were to: I.Acquire and install irrigation facilities for 20ha of experimental fields of the Crops Research Institute at Fumesua. II.Ensure continued supplementary irrigation of research fields all –year-round.

5. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES Hydrological survey and Irrigation water quality Analysis  Two reservoirs (A and B) on- station (Figure 1).  Water Quality analysis done by CSIR-WRI. Results from the analysis indicated that the water in the dams were good for irrigation purposes

6. Soil Analysis and characterization  Soil analysis was conducted by CSIR- SRI Soil characterisation Determined Infiltration and water- holding capacity Developed digitized soil type map (Figure 2) Soil Analysis results: Top Sandy loam at 20cm. Soil infiltration rate 40mm/hr. Moisture holding capacity 115mm/m Total available moisture in root zone was estimated 57.5mm.

7. Methodology Field Layout, Research Plot Demarcation and Irrigation Design  Dr. Muktar Hannibal of Agricon International, Ontario, Canada, was consulted to help develop a layout for the demarcation of the research fields into plots and also provide an irrigation design for the sprinkler and drip systems.  Plot size: plot sizes have been laid out in 1ha fields as shown in the map (Figure 3).  Each field can be divided into 0.5 & 0.25 ha plots for experimental crops.

8. Topographical Survey Topographical Survey was done by the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA).  A general map was developed for the station.  A bill of quantity for the drip irrigation was also given.  The Bill of quantities was used in the preparation of procurement document for the supply and installation of the drip irrigation system.

9. Award of contract  Tender documents were prepared by the Procurement office of the CSIR in accordance with the procurement policies of Ghana.  It was advertised in the newspapers for calls to tender.  Two companies submitted tender documents to bid  After evaluation of the bidding documents, the contract was awarded to Dizengoff Ghana Limited to supply and install the drip and sprinkler irrigation systems at Fumesua.

10. Land preparation towards the installation of the drip irrigation system  A traxcavator was hired to fall the trees at demarcated site (Figure 4).  The felled wood was cut into smaller pieces and taken disposed off (Figure 5).  The area was then ploughed, harrowed and levelled (Figure 6).

12. Installation of drip irrigation system Pump house built to house pump and accessories. Installation of pump and accessories. Laying of 110mm PE Pipe (main pipelines). Installation of pressure heads with filters and pressure control systems. Flushing of main pipe lines. Laying of 63mm PE Pipes (laterals). Saddling of laterals and coupling of drip lines. Installation of end caps/lines.

14. Fig 9: Installation of accessories in pump house

15. Outlet of fertilizer tank Butterfly valve Inlet to fertilizer tank Filter Pressure sustain system Ball valve M a n if o l d Flush back pipe suction pipeFertilizer tank Pressure gauge

16. Air release vent Pressure control system Non-return valve Water flow meter

18. filter Pressure control system Air release valve Ball valve Raiser

19. Surface drip lines 16-1.0-0.3 laterals saddles

21. Layout of drip irrigation system at CRI, Fumesua C2C4 33m C1 74m C3 A2 B4B2 44m A1 55m 37m B3 64m B1 Head A Head B Head C

22. Installation of sprinkler irrigation system Land preparation Installation of main pipe lines The following installations are to be done: Pump and accessories Hydrants Laterals Sprinklers

23. IRRIGATION SCHEDULING The FAO irrigation model, CROPWAT 8.0 will be used to determine the crop water requirements and schedule irrigation for all crops planted under the drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. For effectiveness of operations, irrigation scheduling will be done at the start of each planting season The model calculates Solar radiation from sunshine hours, ET o from input climatic data, Effective rainfall from rainfall data, ETo and effective rainfall are used in the calculation of the gross irrigation

24. Minimum data set for CROPWAT 8.0 ClimateSoilCrop Minimum/maximum temperature, o C Total available moisture, mm/m Crop stages, day (initial, development, mid-season, late season) Relative Humidity, %Maximum infiltration rate, mm/day Crop coefficient (Kc values), initial, mid, end Wind, km/dayInitial soil moisture depletion, % Crop rooting depth Sunshine, hrsInitial available soil moisture, mm/m Crop height, m Rain, mmYield response, f

25. Series of seminars will be organised to educate scientists and technicians on the use of the irrigation facilities at CRI.

26. THANK YOU