The tedious and expensive business of getting water to the fields is a very common irrigation problem faced by small and marginal farmers in developing countries, regardless of the availability of canal water in their area. Irrigation water reaches the fields through various channels, large and small, but it flows along them at a lower level. Farmers use motorized pumps and other conventional methods to bring that water to their fields. This is also true for rainwater that collects in ponds or low fields during the rainy season. Mainly for rice harvest, farmers are more concerned about using rainwater wisely as harvesting requires a lot of it. For one, the diesel engines typically used for this work add significant cost to small farmers, as electricity is unavailable or inconvenient; conventional methods, on the other hand, are generally less productive and more time consuming.
Characteristics and benefits of grassroots green innovation
K Sakthimainthan from Tamil Nadu, India has developed a manual water lifting device to solve the water lifting problem at a very low cost. The design of the machine is simple and is based on the integration of an air blowing device to create vacuum and a propeller. Sakthimainthan has used the device on his 1-acre arable land and has continually improved it through various modifications. The fifth current version of the device in its field tests has shown that with a discharge angle of 26 degrees, the discharge achieved is in the range of 18,000 to 30,000 lph for a lift of 0.5 m and from 9,000 to 22,500 lph for a rise of 0.75 m.
- Due to its simplicity, fit anywhere, and portable nature, this low headroom water lift can be used anywhere.
- This water lifting device requires only one person to operate and no electricity or any other fuel is needed.
- It is more productive, easy to operate and cost effective compared to other conventional water pumps available.
- It retails for Rs 1,200 and has almost zero installation and maintenance cost.
Recognition and support for the manual water lifting device
The innovation was appreciated by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and was also recommended for the magazine published by the Agricultural University. The National Innovation Foundation, India (NIF) has also awarded this grassroots green innovation. He has also filed a patent application for the innovation.
Since operating the unit by hand is difficult for long periods, Sakthimainthan is also considering a foot-operated version of the device with a more comfortable sit-and-use arrangement.