How does the system set up?
The equipment for drawing water
Water for irrigation is pumped from a modern well located in the center of the irrigated perimeter. This well is the property of the beneficiaries of the site and was carried out there thirty years ago and up to date there has been no depletion. A submersible pump is installed inside the well with a switch on/off device to start or stop pumping.
Photovoltaic solar panels
The pumping system is supplied with solar photovoltaic energy. Overall, there are 7 panels installed in series with a power of 200 Watts each i.e. a total operating power of 1400 Watts.
These solar panels are mounted on posts and positioned about 2.75 m above the ground. The solar system is equipped with a dashboard that allows to check the stop mode or running of the different elements that are connected: the submersible pump, the float in the water tower, the solar panels.
The solar system has been installed since 19 May 2015. The test showed that it is operating. On the risk of theft, the beneficiaries have given assurances on the security of the facility, which is located near houses near the irrigated perimeter. Thus the permanent presence of people in the vicinity constitutes a guarantee according to the beneficiaries.
The irrigation network
Water pumped into the well is reversed into a water tower made of reinforced concrete along the perimeter. The tank is mounted on four columns. It has a capacity of 4,75m3 and is 3 m from the ground. The volume of water in the basin is controlled by a float valve connected to the solar system.
The water discharged into the water tower reaches the irrigated plots of the perimeter by gravity through underground pipes that leave the tower to the plots of crops. The pipes emerge again at the edge of the plots and are connected to the water distribution network in the plots.
Plowing irrigated land
To facilitate the work of establishing crops on sites a tractor was used to plow at an average depth of 15 to 20 cm.
Beneficiaries' contribution to the project
The project site was made available by the members of the village association who also contributed through the provision of small equipment (wheelbarrow, hoe, shovel, bucket, machete, etc.) for the work on the site. Cleaning the site (tree felling, garbage collection, etc.), digging trenches for laying the PVC pipes of the irrigation system, laying the wire fence on the site (digging holes, laying poles and fixing the fence) were all made by the people as part of their contribution. The beneficiaries also contributed by bringing in rubble, stones and other aggregates for the realization of the water tower and shelter filter head of each irrigation sector and help in masonry work.
To date, they are a total of 6 people constantly mobilized by the beneficiaries to assist companies in carrying out the work.
