Uphill farmers can pump more water from rivers at no cost by increasing the depth of installation of the Self-Priming Drum Pump at the base of the stream.
The pump from Vintage Greens Limited does not require any form of energy besides the force of running water.
But its effectiveness depends on how deep it has been installed for the falling water to build enough pressure from its pipes for further pushing.
Vintage Chief Executive Officer Elijah Njoroge said the pump pushes water in multiples of five metres in relation to its depth.
For instance if it is installed three metres down the water fall or an artificial hole, it pushes water to a tank at a height of 15 metres. On average, it can deliver 5,000 litres per day to the farm.
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From the collection tank, the water can be delivered to the farm via pipes.
“It is a simple way of harnessing gravity from the falling water to power the pumping process. This ensures that farmers do not incur costs in pumping water for farm use when they can use what nature has provided,” Njoroge said.
The pump works by alternating valves that open and close at different occasions. The closing causes a build-up of pressure within the pipes to thrust out the water to other chambers before being pushed out to the tank delivery exit.
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It an improved and cheaper form of hydram pumps, which may cost between Sh60,000 and Sh120,000, depending on the size.
The Vintage pumps cost between Sh30,000 and Sh40,000.
Besides the purchase and installation costs, the farmer does not incur other expenses in electricity or fuel bills if they have a river with constant flow of water.
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It is also a way of cutting pollution using available energy, which is also environmental friendly.
Off the grid farmers have the opportunity to access water for irrigation and other farm operations.