Design of a flexible rain gun sprinkler irrigation system for amaranth.

Abstract

The need of modern systems of irrigation that are flexible, reliable and movable. in Uganda is of great improvement in Uganda's agricultural Sector. Due to its tropical location, Uganda is endowed with a Variety of grains and vegetables, yet their production keeps on reducing and fluctuating due farmers relying on rainfall which is. seasonal, inadequate and not uniformly distributed and using irrigation systems that they consider expensive, inflexible and unreliable Approximately 19% of Uganda’s population is nourished. Grain amaranth is a fast growing, high yielding, nutriti01ts crop with potential to contribute. to the alleviation or malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. This design project seeks to reduce the increased fluctuation of amaranth production in Uganda, as strategy to improve food security nutrition and household income. Information about amaranth production both the vegetable and the grain especially in Uganda and rain gun sprinkler irrigation Systems was gathered. To aid in the design climatic data (Rainfall, Temperature; Relative humidity, Sunshine and win speed) was collected. Soil and -water tests were also carried out to obtain the suitability of the soil and water for the crop. A topographical survey using a Global Satellite device (GPS) was also carried out to determine the topographical data of the plot, proximity and availability of resources relevant to the design. Different software such as Microsoft Excel, Matlab programming language, CROP WAT 8.0 and CLIMAT 2.0, EPANET software were used to analyze the data and AutoCAD software to generate the design drawings. Important results a movable rain gun sprinkler irrigation system with a system capacity of 7.63 m 3/hr, crop water need of 5.287mm/day total head of 82.57 m. Pump specification, Davey 5290 HE Water Pump with a maximum head of 90 m and power of 9 hp. Furthermore, the design project quotation was included to assess the feasibility of farmers adopting the technology. In conclusion, the design project is very possible in Naalya village given the readily available water resource of the flowing non-seasonal stream.