Irrigation technology in South Africa and Kenya

Abstract

This paper reviews various irrigation technologies in both South Africa and Kenya that enable improvements in

The status and challenges of a modern irrigation system in Kenya: A systematic review

“…Kulecho & Weatherhead (2006a) found that extension staff from the government did not have enough knowledge themselves to be able to educate the farmers using low-cost drip irrigation kits, and this hindered their adoption. Monteiro et al (2010) attributed the lack of knowledge among extension service officers to a lack of resources and training on the field applications of irrigation technologies. Further Kulecho & Weatherhead (2006b) noted that a government extension policy on small-scale irrigation technologies was either nonexistent, unclear, or weak.…”

“…A review by Ngigi (2002) highlighted a number of factors affecting irrigation development in Kenya, such as high investment costs, lack of access to credit facilities by farmers, lack of a clear irrigation policy, weak coordination between sectors, water inadequacy, and a lack of support systems. Monteiro et al (2010) did a comparative review on the adoption of irrigation technologies in Kenya and South Africa and focused on low‐cost irrigation technologies that had been developed and promoted in the first decade of the 2000s. Since then, there has been policy progress in the irrigation subsector—for example, the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which ushered in a devolved system of government, and various reforms in the agricultural and water sector as enshrined in Vision 2030, the amended Water Act of 2016, and the Irrigation Act 2019, among others.…”

Challenges in adoption of water‐saving practices: Perspective from drip irrigation adoption in Kenya

“…These were poor quality of irrigation equipment that led to shortened lifespans, lack of knowledge to design and maintain the new irrigation infrastructure, and missing or limited complementary technologies such as water harvesting technologies. Also, lack of business acumen and vandalism by animals and people with ill intent were hindrances to the adoption of drip irrigation (Friedlander et al, 2013;Monteiro et al, 2010;Wiggins & Lankford, 2019). Major challenges such as blockages of emitters and laterals and wear and tear have been recorded in the literature (Friedlander et al, 2013;Monteiro et al, 2010).…”

“…Also, lack of business acumen and vandalism by animals and people with ill intent were hindrances to the adoption of drip irrigation (Friedlander et al, 2013;Monteiro et al, 2010;Wiggins & Lankford, 2019). Major challenges such as blockages of emitters and laterals and wear and tear have been recorded in the literature (Friedlander et al, 2013;Monteiro et al, 2010). In line with this, Friedlander et al, (2013) recommend the following: …Redesign drip systems to help prevent common problems.…”