FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Pedalling past pumping problems
M.J. PRABU
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The pump is gender friendly and especially suited for rainfed cultivation
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— Photo: IDEI
Cheap alternative: The device is simple to manufacture and affordable
Conserving water by using it sparingly for irrigation and at the same time, increasing crop production has always been a challenge to farmers and scientists alike. Initially drip irrigation seemed to be an answer to the problem.
However, the high cost of the conventional systems and their complicated and cumbersome installation and maintenance procedures failed to make it attractive to the poor marginal farmers.
Low-cost technologies
International Development Enterprises, India (IDEI), an Indian non-profit organisation which is committed to ensuring prosperity for poor farmers by developing and disseminating low-cost irrigation technologies has developed a micro-irrigation technology called the treadle pump.
The treadle pump is a low cost foot operated water lifting device that is ideally suited for irrigating small ar
eas of land. It is well suited for areas with abundant ground-water. The device is low priced (about Rs. 600 -1,000 including installation cost), easy to install and operate.
Gender friendly
The treadle pump is also gender friendly as both men and women can easily operate it unlike certain agricultural operations such as tractor which require men to drive them.
The device is simple and cheap to manufacture, affordable to farmers, easy to operate and maintain, can be easily repaired and spare parts are easily available.
It has a suction capacity of about 25 feet similar to other suction pumps and can lift 3.6-6 cubic metres of water per hour from bore wells, rivers, ponds and tanks.
There are five variants of the treadle pump suited to different field conditions and farmer budgets. These include the bamboo treadle pump, the metal treadle pump, the concrete pedal pump, surface treadle pump and the pressure pump.
All the treadle pump variants are designed to be easy to manufacture and are made from locally available materials.
Several advantages
Compared to diesel and electric pumps, the treadle pump has several advantages: it requires no fuel for operation, can be easily maintained, is hassle free and minimizes water wastage as it is manually operated. Additionally, farmers using the treadle pump do not face problems of fertilizer leaching (washing away of fertilizers due to strong water current) or top soil erosion unlike those using mechanised pumps where the strong gush of water washes away the fertilizers and the fertile top soil.
Farmers using the treadle pump also have better control over water application because the output rate is much slower than an electric or motor pump and therefore water wastage is minimised.
The farmer has complete control over the timing and amount of water being pumped out.
The device allows farmers to make use of the locally available labour in their homes and also increase crop production.
The pump is especially suited for farmers who are dependent on rains for their crop. It is a boon to them as they can cultivate crops all through the year and not leave their land fallow.
Private marketing
To the question whether farmers can directly purchase the device from IDEI , the organisation’s representative said, “IDEI is not directly involved in selling these pumps, rather it ensures their sale through several private marketing channels such as distributors, dealers and other outlets.
“But farmers can contact our office and we will direct them to concerned sales personnel in their area.” At present more than six lakh pumps have been sold to farmers in eastern India alone.
Warranty period
The pumps have a one year warranty from date of purchase and can be normally replaced once a year. It does not require any significant servicing.
Whatever servicing is required can be done by the farmer himself. In case he needs specialised support, he can always visit the point of purchase. All costs are borne by the farmer.
IDEI has been implementing a programme of mass marketing of these pumps under the brand name KB. KB stands for Krishak Bandhu— meaning farmer’s friend.
Readers can contact Mr. Niraj Subrat, J.N. Ray or Santosh Jha, International Development Enterprises India (IDEI), C5/43, Safdurjang Development Area 1st and 2nd floor, New Delhi 110016, Phone: 011-46000400,e-mail mailbox@ide-india.org.
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