Many irrigation options are available on the market. However, theyare costly for the majority of small-scale farmers, resulting in a low adoptionrate. This calls for development of low-cost gender-sensitive irrigationtechnologies such as the treadle pump. A treadle pump is a low-head, manualpump designed to overcome common obstacles faced by resource-poor farmers. Itcan lift five to seven cubic meters of water per hour from wells, boreholes andsurface water sources such as lakes and rivers. The pump has the capability tolift water from depths as low as 7meters. There are two types: those that liftwater from a lower level to the height of the pump, commonly called suctionpumps. The other type consists of pumps that can lift water from both a lowerlevel and to a height greater than the height of the pump, known as pressurepumps. In all forms, water is pumped by two direct displacement pistons, whichare operated alternately by the stepping motion of the user. The treadle pumphas an important advantage over motorized pumps for irrigation of agriculturalland of less than one hectare. It’s considerably less expensive to purchase andoperate since it requires limited maintenance and no fuel.

Figure 1: Demonstrating use of a treadle pump	Fig. 2: Irrigation system connected to a treadle pump

The technology was designed to target mainly the smallholder dairyfarmers. Farmer Field Schools were used to demonstrate the use of thetechnology to participating farmers. The technology which is at up-take pathwaystage has been validated in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Compared to the motorized pump, the treadle pump is cheaper interms of its acquisition and operation as it requires no fuel and runs withlimited maintenance; to the convenience of small scale farmers. Farmers adoptinguse of this technology have higher household incomes per year compared to thosewho are not utilizing the technology.

Treadle pump is a user-friendlytechnology that is simple and easy to use. Both the young and old, male andfemale farmers, can be able to utilize it on a small scale basis.

Jolly Kabirizi;

Lead Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);

P. O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Tel +256 45448360

Mob: +256-777912716

Email: jmkabirizi@gmail.com

Donald M.G. Njarui;

Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Katumani;

P.O. Box 340 – 90100;

Machakos – Kenya.

Tel: +254-44-20495; +254-20-4183720

Mobile: +254-726345712

Fax: +254-44-21122

Email: donaldnjarui@yahoo.com

Justus K. Itabari;

Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Katumani;

P.O. Box 340 – 90100;

Machakos – Kenya.

Mob: +254-723389521

Email: itabarijustus@yahoo.co.uk

Kaganda, S.;

Scientist, National Livestock Research Institute (NLRI), Mabuki;

P. O. Box 352;

Mwanza, Tanzania.

Tel: +255-754469354; +255-784936202

Mob: +255-282501079

Email: skaganda2001@yahoo.co.uk

Annunciate Nakiganda;

Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);

P.O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Mob: +256-782901687

Email: aknakiganda@yahoo.co.uk

Nanyennya, W.N;

Socio-economist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);

P.O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Mob: +256-772441471; +256-703017607

Email: will04nan@yahoo.com; williamnanyeenya@hotmail.com

Jean Nizigama;

Scientist, Mahwa Research Station;

P. O. Box 149;

Bujumbura, Burundi.

Tel: +257-79958038; +257-22-227602

Email: nizijean1@yahoo.fr 

Currently, many small scale farmers are benefiting from using thetreadle pump. Besides using it for watering their animals, the smallholderdairy farmers can also use it for irrigating their backyard vegetable gardens.

Kabirizi, J.M, Njarui, D.M.G., Itabari, J.K., Kaganda, S.,Nakiganda, A., Nanyennya, W.N.and Nizigama, J. 2012. Enhancing smallholderdairy production through participatory evaluation of forages, soil fertility andwater harvesting innovations in ECA region.(In press).

Kabirizi, J.M. 2006. Effect of integrating forage legumes insmallholder dairy production systems on feed availability and animalperformance. PhD Thesis. Makerere University.

Kabirizi, J.M., Njarui D.M.G., Nakiganda, A., Kaganda, S.,Nizigama, J. and Itabari, J.K. 2010. Crop-livestock integration for sustainablemanagement of natural resources and building livestock resilience in ECA regionbaseline survey report.