There used to be an ugly patch of gravel behind the Mokame home in Zimbabwe. It’s now a thriving, green and leafy vegetable garden. It’s a mini miracle in a country that is suffering from an economic, political, and agricultural disaster.
In India, a farmer named Govindraj says his wife has been able to buy two cows and now manages a dairy micro-enterprise.
Jayashankar, another delighted farmer, can now send his son to college. (source USAID).
The small miracle that made all of this possible was simple, cheap drip irrigation kits. The kits, often a simple plastic tank, and tubing, work by gravity, so no power is required. They allow farmers to water crops directly, cut water usage by 30-70% and raise crop yields over 50%!
The extra money earned or saved keeps children in school, and out of the fields, buys medicines, and reduces dependency on foreign aid.
It’s also much cheaper. Donated food can cost over $500 per ton, but food produced locally by a farmer can cost as little as $78 per ton.
Conserving water is important no matter where you live.
Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.
Check the pipes in your home for leaks (you may save on your water bill too).
Set up your own drip irrigation system to water your garden.
Donate to IDE or Kick Start (organizations that produce inexpensive drip irrigation systems).
Replace grass with more eco-friendly vegetation or ground cover that uses less water (and fertilizer), and requires less maintenance.
By Jodi Kaplan.
More info:
http://www.usaid.gov/stories/zimbabwe/ss_zimbabwe_dripirrigation.html
http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/Design/drip-irrigation-system
