Pop-Up Sprinkler Kits In Kenya
Grekkon Limited’s pop-up sprinkler kits in Kenya are designed for lawns and gardens. As a lawn irrigation company in Kenya, we design your lawn irrigation system layout, then install your pop up sprinklers. Our pop-up sprinklers have inlet sizes of; 1/2″, and 3/4″. This inlet size determines the amount of water discharged, and the pop up sprinkler radius
Components of a Lawn Irrigation Kit
- Electric surface water pump. The size of the electric water pump, and motor power is determined by the area under irrigation
- HDPE pipe; your HDPE pipe diameter size is from 32mm (1″) in diameter to 63mm/ 2″ depending on the size of the area under irrigation. The pipe’s thickness is PN8 through PN16 depending on the pressure power of the electric water pump
- HDPE fittings; 32mm (1″) tees, elbows, adaptors and end caps. They connect the HDPE pipe to the water pump, to each other, and to the pop-up sprinklers
- Timer. This is for an automated system. It switches the pop-up sprinkler irrigation system on and off according to the timings set
Pop-up Sprinkler Kits Price In Kenya
Pop-up Kit Prices Tabulation
Area In Meters Square Number of Pop up Sprinklers Pop up Sprinkler Inlet Size Cost In Kes 50 1 1/2″ 12,000 100 1 3/4″ 18,000 500 (1/8 acre) 5 3/4″ 75,000 1,000 (1/4 acre) 9 3/4″ 125,000
The given pop-up sprinkler kits cost includes an electric water pump
Types of Pop-Up Sprinklers
There are 2 types of pop-up sprinklers by Grekkon Limited
Spray irrigation heads
Spry irrigation heads have a working pressure of 14M to 20M head. They they are for small to medium sized spaces. Each is placed at a maximum distance of 4.5M from each other. Spray irrigation heads give out a fine mist, fast, and irrigate evenly. They are not recommended on windy days or windy locations
Spray irrigation head pop up sprinklers
Spray rotary heads
They are rotary with a working pressure from 20M head, and are for medium to large spaces. This is because they deliver water slowly in a stream, instead of a fine mist. Spray rotary heads are good for slow draining soils and slopes. Their spacing is from 6M
Spray rotary head pop-up sprinkler
Pop-Up Sprinklers Spacing
As shown above, the sprinkler spacing is a factor of the type of sprinkler, and also the size. Sprinklers’ spray will overlap to avoid ‘dry blind spots’
The spray jet from each sprinkler should extend to the other sprinkler for full coverage
How To Install Pop-Up Sprinklers
Our sub-surface pop-up sprinklers kit is piping is 40cm below ground level as illustrated below
The sprinklers have laterals to a HDPE main line. This pipe’s diameter is according to the amount of water needed
The laterals from the main line carry water to the sprinklers. This depth secures the pipes against damage from the surface
Steps To Repair A Pop-up Sprinkler Head
When pop-up sprinklers age, the heads will sometimes, get stuck in position so it doesn’t rotate, chip or break. If this oocurs, follow these steps below to fix your pop-up sprinkler head
- Cut out a circular area around the pop-up sprinkler, about 15cm to 20cm in diameter
- Remove the intact grass around the sprinkler. This way, you’ll return it as it was after the repairs to the same location
- Unscrew the faulty sprinkler from it’s rider
- Replace the old head with a new one of a similar size
- Screw back the new sprinkler
- Adjust the new sprinkler head to direct the spray where you need it
- Turn on the water to test the new sprinkler, to remove any dirt/ debris, and to check for any leakages on your new connection
- Return the cut out grass
Pop-up Sprinkler Kits In Kenya
FAQs
1. How deep do pop-up sprinklers need to be?
Not more than 40cm below surface. This avoids accidental punctures of the pipe, and allows easy assessment or improvement
2. How many pop-up sprinklers can you put on one zone?
The number of pop-up sprinklers installed by Grekkon Limited in a unit area are a factor of;
2.1. Pop-up sprinkler inlet diameter/ size. The larger the diameters, the lessor the units needed
2.1. Water pump size. The larger it is, the more sprinklers it runs per unit area
2.3. Location factors. presence of obstacles such as trees, rocks, hedges and so on
3. How long should you run pop-up sprinklers?
This depends on the discharge rate of the sprinkler. The 9L per minute sprinklers need 15 to 20 minutes to completely water a section. The 2.5L per minute ones need an hour
4. How much water does a pop-up sprinkler use per minute?
The average is 5.5 litres
5. What height should pop-up sprinklers be set at?
10cm above ground when irrigating
6. How much pressure do pop-up sprinklers need?
This is 20M to 35M head
7. Can you mow over pop-up sprinklers?
Yes you will mow over it, but have the motor off
A pop up sprinkler timer installed for a project at Vipingo, Kilifi county
Micro Sprinklers In Kenya
Micro sprinklers in Kenya by Grekkon Limited are low-pressure, low to medium volume irrigation equipment that are ideal for micro-irrigation. They deliver water directly to the crop root zone, in a uniform manner. They provide full scale surface irrigation, and localised watering of crops. Micro sprinklers are used for; fruit tree, lawn, hedge, and small garden irrigation
Micro sprinkler price in Kenya
The unit cost of all types of sprinkler jet micro sprinklers at Grekkon Limited is from Kes 100 at any of our branches nationwide. Micro sprinkler price per acre is a factor of the number of units used, which depends on the crop spacing. For instance tree tomato spaced at 2M x 2M will require a higher number of micro sprinklers than avocado spaced at 6M x 5M
Each unit is composed of 3 parts; the sprinkler, the 8mm diameter connecting tube, and a 1-1/2′ long plastic support stand
Micro sprinklers save water through high application efficiency, and uniformity of spray. They are a substitute for button drippers where drip irrigation is impractical, but create a larger wetted area than drip irrigation. Micro sprinkler irrigation provides low precipitation which allows for longer watering time with low run-off. They are available in a wide range of plastic configurations. Micro sprinkler sets are used with fertigation systems which save on fertiliser application labour cost. They are also light in weight and small in size, which makes them highly portable, and easy to install
Micro sprinklers watering an apple crop
What is micro sprinkler irrigation?
It is micro irrigation through the adoption of sprinkler jet micro sprinklers, set at the base of the plant
Micro Sprinklers In Kenya
Coverage:
Micro sprinklers coverage is a factor of; flow rate, wetting diameter or radius, and the wetting degree.
1. Operating pressure; from 15M head / 1.5 bar – 20M head/ 2 bar. Pressure lower than this will cause the micro sprinkler to release large droplets, or cease rotation. These droplets will be unhelpful, or even destructive to the work undertaken
2. Flow rate 40 litres per hour
3. Irrigation degree; available as 90, 180, and 360 degrees
4. Irrigation dimeter; 1.5M to 3.5M. This is an important factor to note during installation because it guides on the spacing of one sprinkler jet micro sprinkler to another
Micro sprinklers work when positioned upright, or upside down. Upright when they’re standing on the ground for normal irrigation. Upside down when set in a greenhouse, or open field crop to provide humidity to a mature crop or seedlings. This upside down placement is also for keeping plant foliage moist, or for overhead irrigation.
They deliver irrigation water through micro tubing to a series of nozzles attached to risers. They have small to medium sized droplets with good uniformity of coverage, and lower precipitation rate.
How to space micro sprinklers
Micro sprinklers placement is in such a manner that the sprays overlap. If for instance the irrigation diameter is 1.5M, the distance between micro sprinklers will be 2.25M. This ensures that there are no dry spots in between. An overlap ensures full coverage particularly for lawns, hedges or very closely spaced crops
How to use micro sprinklers with fruit trees
Our micro sprinklers for orchards are installed this way: Set one micro sprinkler per tree, 30cm or 1 foot from the base of the tree trunk being irrigated. Unlike online or button drippers which work well with gravity, a water pump will be necessary when irrigating with many micro sprinklers. This is because they need an operating pressure of 15M – 20M head, which is best achieved by a water pump
How much water do micro sprinklers use?
They use a maximum of 40 litres per hour
Micro Sprinklers In Kenya
FAQs
1. How effective is micro sprinkler irrigation?
It reduces water usage by 25% to 40% compared to impact or rain gun sprinkler irrigation, and by 45% to 60% when compared to surface irrigation. They provide uniform water application which ensures uniform growth and crop maturity
2. How far apart should sprinkler jet micro sprinkler be?
It should be less than the radius of their spray. See details above under the heading how to space micro sprinklers
3. When do you use a micro sprinkler?
Like drip irrigation, they are great for water conservation. However, unlike drips they create a humid micro climate around the crop, which is important in the control of certain pests such as spider mites, arphids, and thrips,
4. What are the disadvantages of micro sprinkler irrigation?
4.1. The tubes get clogged more easily than those of an impact sprinkler or rain gun sprinkler. This is because they are much smaller than those of other sprinkler types
4.2. They are more expensive to install than drip lines, or button drippers
4.3. They require higher operating pressure than drip lines, or button drippers, hence the need to invest in a water pump
4.4. They require a higher level of expertise during installation than button drippers, or drip tapes
4.5. The rate of water loss due to evaporation is higher than with a button dripper, or drip irrigation system
4.6. Many units are required per unit of land compared to other larger sprinklers
5. How do micro sprinklers work?
They have micro tubings which deliver water to small openings that release it at a slow rate, as fine particles. They apply water directly to the soil surface allowing it to percolate under low pressure
6. How far do micro sprinklers spray?
1.5M to 3.5M diameter
7. What are the components of a micro-irrigation system?
7.1. A pumping station to provide the right pumping pressure
7.2. A filtration system to capture any debris or dirt that will clog the system
7.3. Mainlines. These are the pipes originating from the pumping station, and feeding the sub-main lines. They are the largest pipes
7.4. Sub-main lines. These are the pipes origination from the main lines, and feeding the laterals. They are smaller in diameter than the main lines
7.5. Laterals. These the pipes connecting to the sub-main lines, to which the micro sprinklers are attached. They are the smallest pipes in diameter
These pipes will be either be of the high density polypropylene (HDPE), or poly vinyl chloride PVC type
7.6. Hydrants. These are the irrigation control units in the field from which water is channelled to various blocks
7.7. Venturi system. This is a chemigation and/or a fertigation unit connected to the main line. It is the point from which soluble fertiliser and drenching pesticides are fed into the irrigation system
A venturi fertigation – chemigation unit being set up in an upcoming vegetable farm by Grekkon Limited
7.8. The sprinklers. They water the crops directly
8. How long to run micro sprinklers in Kenya?
35 to 45 minutes is sufficient time at optimal flow rate and working pressure
9. What is the difference between drip irrigation and micro sprinklers?
Drip irrigation is for closely spaced crops that require targeted irrigation. Micro-sprinkler irrigation is for sparsely spaced, larger crops or crops that grow best under overhead irrigation
10. What is the difference between mini and micro sprinklers in Kenya?
Mini sprinklers are larger, with a greater flow rate and operating pressure to cover a bigger area. They are better for smaller plants or landscape irrigation
One acre rain hose kits
Grekkon Limited’s one acre rain hose kits in Kenya installations are done by the technical team across the country. The number of rain hose pipes installed per acre is determined by the following:
A one acre rain hose irrigation system installed by Grekkon Limited in Makutano area, laikipia county
- the available flow rate, and pumping pressure from the water pump or water source. Where the flow rate and pumping pressure is high, the diameter of reach is broad, so less rain hose pipes are needed
- the diameter of the pipes. Larger diameter rain hose pipes provide more water, over a larger area, so less of them are needed
Cost of one care rain hose kits in Kenya
| Diameter size | Flow rate per 100M | Price in KES |
| 32mm or 1″ | 13 cubic litres per hour | KES 85,000 |
| 40mm or 1-1/4” | 16 cubic litres per hour | KES 78,000 |
| 50mm to 1-1/2″ | 22 cubic litres per hour | KES 70,000 |
One acre rain hose kits in Kenya
Installation
- Trench where the poly vinyl chloride (PVC) main line will be laid. This is not necessary for the high density polyethylene (HDPE) which are surface pipes. PVC pipes are sub-surface pipes because they have no UV-treatment, and will thus degrade easily under the sun. HDPE pipes have UV treatment and will be surface pipes
- Connect the PVC or (HDPE) main line to the water pump or high tank. This pipe evacuates water from the source to the farm and is the largest in diameter. The larger the pipe diameter, the more the water it delivers. .
- Join the HDPE or PVC sub-main line to the main line. The sub-main line is smaller in diameter, and so carries less water. It is joined to the main line through PVC or HDPE accessories such as; tees, elbows, saddle clamps, adaptors or valve sockets
- Connect the rain pipe to the sub-main line or the main line where a sub-main line does not exist. This is done with a rain hose connector or a saddle clamp
- Spread the rain hose along the length, and close the terminal end with an end cap
- Connect one rain pipe to another with a connector
Rain hose fittings from left to right: end cap, connector, rubber, and ball valve
One acre rain hose kits
Components of a rain hose irrigation kit?
1. End-caps. They close the end of the pipe to prevent further water flow 2. Starter off-takes. They connect the rain pipe to the PVC or HDPE main line that supplies water to the rain hose from a water pump or highly elevated water tank 3. Pipe connectors. To connect one rain hose pipe to another 4. Mini valves. To control water flow to the rain hose pipe
The diameter of the pipe are; 25mm, 32mm, 40mm and 50mm. A grower chooses the preferred size based on crop water needs and area of irrigation. For instance, a farmer with 1 acre of the crop will comfortably water with the volume delivered through a 32mm rain hose pipe.
Another grower with 5 acres will better irrigate with a 50mm rain hose pipe. An acre of crop uses 1,000 meters of 25mm, 800 meters of 32mm rain hose pipes, 600M of 40mm pipes, and 400M of 50mm pipes
One acre rain hose kits
Rain hose irrigation system requirements
- The system requires a pressure head of 30M, and above
- When using a water pump to power the rain hose irrigation kit, the discharge rate should be from 45 cubic litres per hour
- The rate of water discharge is determined by the diameter size, and number of pores on the rain pipe. For instance, a rain pipe with 5 holes per cluster discharges less water than the one with 7 holes in a cluster
- It irrigates in opposite directions at a radius of 3M for the 32mm pipe, 5M for the 40mm pipe, and 7M for the 50mm pipe
- The vertical height of this water jet is 1M
One acre rain hose kits
FAQsa. What is the difference between a rain hose irrigation system and a sprinkler system?
- The technology. The rain pipe irrigation system is designed using nano technology
- The mode of spray. A sprinkler sprays its water in one direction, a rain hose pipe sprays in 3 directions (vertically, horizontally, and diagonally)
- Placement. A sprinkler is placed upright on the surface or sub-surface (for pop up sprinklers). A rain hose is laid on the ground
b. What is the pressure in a rain pipe?
The minimum operating pressure is 30M head / 3 barsc. What is the spacing for rain hose irrigation?
The distance from one rain pipe to another is from 1.5M depending on the operating pressure, and pipe diameterGrekkon limited is the largest supplier and installer of rain hose irrigation systems in Kenya, and in the east and central Africa region
Types Of Dam Liners
As a dam liner company, Grekkon Limited supplies and installs 3 types of dam liners in Kenya by thickness, and 2 types of dam liners by material. In this article, we answer many water harvesting using dam liners questions posed to us by growers
1. What type of dam liner is best?
1.1. Types of dam liners in Kenya – by material
High density polyethylene (HDPE) dam liners
This is what we supply and install most. This is because it is thin and lightweight which makes it easy to carry. They are tough with high tensile strength, hard to puncture, and stiff, which makes them less prone to sudden length tears. However, this stiffness makes welding more difficult. HDPE dam liners have the best UV resistance, and are safe for the environment because they do not emit chemicals. Their disadvantage is that they’re more difficult to repair when perforated. Our HDPE dam liners are in rolls from which we cut and tailor weld it to a water pan’s specifications
A HDPE dam liner installed by Grekkon Limited in Vihiga county, Kenya
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dam liners
We supply and install these but at a lessor scale. PVC dam liners are highly flexible, impermeable and tough. They are heavier than HDPE dam liners, but easier to weld as the material joins together more easily. They have the best resistance to chemicals and acids and so they are not easily corroded. This makes them the most suitable for land fills and chemical containment sites. Our PVC dam liners are factory fabricated panels that eases installation. The downside with PVC dam liners is environmental safety because they release chemicals as the PVC material degrades. This in the long-term is toxic to fish
A PVC dam liner installed by Grekkon Limited in a water pan in Kibwezi, Kenya
Low density polyethylene (LLDPE) dam liners
They are made from the same plastic as HDPE dam liners, and so share similarities. Being less dense than their HDPE cousins, they are softer, more flexible and more pliable. Being softer makes them less susceptible to stress cracking. High flexibility allows for easier under installation, and molding them around corners, nooks and crannies. Pliability means they conform best to rough terrain with little wrinkles
An LLDPE liner in a large water pan
1.2. Types of dam liners in Kenya – by thickness
- 0.5mm / 500 microns. This is for smooth surfaces and to hold low water volume (5,000 cubic liters and below)
- 0.75mm / 750 microns and 0.8mm / 800 microns. Works well in rough surfaces with few stones or murram. It will hold medium water capacity
- 1mm / 1,000 microns. Best for stony or rocky surfaces, and high capacity
- 1.5mm / 1,500 microns. Works on surfaces that the 1mm will not, and holds ultra high water volumes
2. Which is better: PVC or HDPE dam liner?
HDPE is better because it has greater tensile strength, and does not contaminate the environment
3. What is a good thickness for a dam liner?
The choice of thickness is determined by the surface and water volume. For instance, a 0.5mm dam liner is more appropriate for a concrete water tank holding 100 cubic litres than a 1mm dam liner
4. What are the 2 main types of dam liners?
HDPE and PVC dam liners are the most common dam liners in Kenya
5. How long does a dam liner last?
This depends on the thickness, material type and use. As a guideline though, 0.5mm thick dam liners last to 15 years, 0.75mm to 25 years, and 1mm to 36 years
6. Can I put a new dam liner over an old one?
The simple answer is yes, but remove any liquid, and solid debris on the old liner’s surface. Note that once the new one is placed, you cannot shift the old liner without affecting the new one. The new dam liner is not joined to the old dam liner in any way
7. How often do dam liners need to be replaced?
So long as the dam liner is functioning well, it is unnecessary to remove it. There is no replacement timeline
8. What is the best liner for a large water pan?
Large is relative. But for any water reservoir holding beyond 5,000 cubic litres, we recommend the 0.75mm or the 1mm thick dam liners
9. How do you hold a dam liner in a water pan?
There are 2 ways.
9.1. Trenching
This is where a 2 feet deep by 1 foot wide trench is excavated all round the circumference of the water reservoir. This trench is 0.75M to 1M from the edge of the water pan. The dam liner is tucked in here then covered with soil, gravel or rocks/ stones
The edges of a newly installed HDPE dam liner in a water pan tucked in a trench and covered with soil
9.2. Sand bags
Bags filled with soil, sand or gravel are laid on top of the dam liner edges to anchor it in place
The different types of dam liners does not affect the holding method
10. Can you join 2 dam liners together?
Yes. Pieces of dam liner welded together make a continuous sheet
11. Can you glue 2 dam liners together?
The best way to join dam liners is by welding because it is permanent
12. Can you cut a dam liner?
Yes. We cut and weld together dam liner sheets from large rolls to tailor it to the water pan’s dimensions
13. Can you put gravel on top of a dam liner?
Yes you can especially if it is for support on the edges
What to consider when choosing a dam liner
- The surface texture. Install a thicker liner for rougher surfaces
- Water volume. The larger it is, the thicker the dam liner
- Purpose. If it will hold chemicals or acids, then the PVC dam liner is best because it is the most resistant
Hybrid Solar Dryers For Sale In Kenya
Hybrid solar dryers for sale in Kenya by Grekkon Limited are active dryers designed to dry quicker, all year round. They are augmented units of the conventional passive solar dryers. The company has three types of hybrid solar dryers for sale in Kenya- Solar powered. These units have a solar powering system that runs the extraction and exhaust fans. The fans provide better movement of air within the dryer, and removal of the moisture from the drying produce. This hastens the drying process
- Biomass powered. They have a biomass burning unit connected on the exterior. Biomass in the form of brickettes or charcoal heats water which produces steam that travels in tubes within the dryer. This heats up the air in the dryer, accelerating the dring process. Biomass powered dryers can be used at night or on cloudy, rainy or cold days when there is insufficient sunshine to dry
Hybrid Solar Dryers For Sale In Kenya
Solar Dryer Materials
- Light UV treated translucent polythene paper to allow heat and light. The paper also has anti-drip treatment to prevent dew formation which causes moulds to form on food
- Heavy UV treated geomembrane to conserve heat
- Steel bars galvanized with food-grade aluminum or zinc for food safety
- UV treated heavy gauge netting to prevent insect pests from entering
A hybrid solar dryerwith both an external biomass heating units, and a solar power system
Hybrid Solar Dryers For Sale In Kenya
I. What is hybrid solar dryer?
It is a conventional solar dryer that receives additional drying power from an external source. This could be biomass, solar or electricityII. What are the three types of solar dryers?
- Natural / conventional solar dryers. These dry using only the power of the sun
- Forced / active dryers. They are augmented versions of the conventional solar dryers
- Portable or fixed solar dryers
III. How does a vegetable dryer work?
- Heat
They allow in diffused heat from the top and the sides, which heats up the air coming in from the air inlet. This hot air will exit with moisture in the air outlet.
- Anti-drip management
Our UV treated polythene cover has anti-drip properties so water droplets do not form on it. It prevents dripping on the drying food which is a precursor for fungal development
IV. What does a solar dryer do?
Grekkon Limited’s solar dryers reduce the moisture content to less than 12% in these products;
- Plantation crops; coffee, rice, cassava
- Vegetables; tomato, onion, garlic, brassicas, hot peppers
- Cereals; sorghum, and millet
- Herbs; moringa, mint, rosemary
- Oil crops; groundnuts, sunflower, macadamia, cashew nuts
- Others; mushrooms, fish, beef, mutton
V. How do you dry vegetables with solar?
- Wash the vegetables to remove all dirt
- Ensure there are no insect pests present
- Remove any diseased parts or produce
- Cut or grind them into smaller pieces to increase the drying surface area
Place them in the solar dryer holding trays
Dry cassava chips
VI. What is the most popular use of solar dryers?
To dry fruits, mushrooms, vegetables, herbs, spices, coffee, cassava, banana and fish. Banana and cassava are further processed into food flour. A solar dryer ensures that the food is free of any external contamination
VII. What are the main applications of a solar dryer?
Besides vegetables and fruits, commercial solar dryers in Kenya are for fish, root crops and mushroom drying. Commonly dried foods in Kenya through our solar dryers are:
i. Banana, cassava, pumpkin, millet, and sorghum to make food flour. Dried cassava is also processed for industrial starch manufacture
ii. Moringa as a medicinal herb
iii. Tomato, capsicum, traditional vegetables, kales, and spinach as vegetable nutrients
iv. Mango, papaya, as dried fruits for snacking
v. Omena which is the silver cyprinid fish for both human consumption, and as additive to animal feed
vi. Coffee so that it’s suitable for milling. Coffee solar dryers are the largest, each holding over 5 tons of berries per drying session
Solar Dryers For Fruits And Vegetables
Grekkon Limited’s hybrid solar dryers for fruits and vegetables in Kenya are designed to dry faster than the conventional or natural solar dryers. They are enhanced with cyclone roof top vents, and fans on the sides. Hybrid solar dehydrators are efficient for large- scale commercial food drying. This is especially with longer to dry fleshy food like; cassava, banana, tomato, fruits, and rice. Drying time is a factor of the food crop type, and the prevailing ambient temperature during the drying period. The quality of the dry produce is consistent. The dryer works through the greenhouse effect.
Solar Dryers For Fruits And Vegetable In Kenya
Solar Dryer Materials
- UV treated paper on the sides and roof. UV block treatment on the polythene paper extends it’s usable lifetime to 4 years. This treatment prevents UV degradation of the food crop. The polythene paper has anti-drip properties to keep dew from forming on the inside of the paper. Dew drops on the drying food will cause molding.
2. Galvanised steel support structure. Galvanised with food grade aluminum, or zinc
3. Concrete floor for the permanent/ immovable models
4. Heat absorbing and releasing dam liner to line the floor
5. Roof top cyclones. Ensures the air is evenly distributed within so that there are no air pockets. This results in evenness of drying for the produce. We install cyclone roof top vents from a particular solar dryer size
6. Fanning system. This comprises of;
- solar panels; to provide electric DC power
- a control box; to regulate electric current
- an inverter; to convert DC energy form the solar panels to AC to power the fans
- fans; an extraction fan to allow push in air, and an exhaust fan to move out accumulated moisture
7. Nets. High density UV treated nets on the air entry and exit points
8. Drying trays designed with material specific to food drying
Every material used is specific to solar dryers for fruits and vegetables to provide; efficiency, safety, and food quality
Solar drying units by Grekkon Limited in Taita Taveta county enhanced with a solar panel and battery to power cyclones, extraction and exhaust fans. They increase air movement in the solar dryer, thereby hastening the drying process, and also making it even
How To Use Solar Dryers For Fruits And Vegetables
- Chop or slice the produce into smaller pieces. This increases the surface area for drying
- Place these pieces on the drying trays
- Keep the door closed always to avoid food contamination
- Every drying 3 hours, monitor the moisture content using a moisture meter
Solar Dryers For Fruits And Vegetables
FAQs
1. What are the 2 types of solar dryers?
1.1. Passive solar dryers. They only utilise the sun’s warmth
1.2. Active solar dryers. These ar hybrid solar dryers that utilise both passive drying and biomass generated heat
2. How do you make a solar dryer?
Grekkon limited’s low cost solar dryers in Kenya are made from the following materials
2.1. A zinc or aluminum galvanised steel structure. It is rust free and easy to clean with plain water
2.2. UV treated greenhouse polythene with anti-drip properties. The UV treatment prevents food degradation by the sun’s UV rays. It ensures that the color, taste, scent, and nutritional value remains after the moisture is removed. The anti-drip treatment prevents moisture droplets from condensing on the paper and forming drop that will fall on the food. Such drops cause molding
2.3. A heat absorbent floor. his one absorbs heat during the day, and releases it at night reducing tea variance between day and night temperatures. Dew formation and mold development is aggravated by a huge difference between day and night temperatures
2.4. A UV treated heavy gauge insect net to protect the produce from insect pests. This insect net covers the air vents
For a hybrid solar dryer we add all or part of the following
2.5. A biomass combustion chamber with a pipe that carries the heat to into the solar dryer. This one is used at night when there is no sunshine, or on cloudy, cold or rainy days. It ensures continuous drying irrespective of the prevailing weather
2.6. A solar panel with a battery to power cyclones, and extraction and exhaust fan. This system speeds up the drying process by increasing air ,movement withing the solar drying chamber. And also help in evenness of drying in the chamber
3. What is the size of a solar dryer?
Your solar dryer size will be determined by the weight and volume of product dried per session. The larger it is, the larger will be your solar dryer
4. How do I choose a solar dryer size?
Grekkon Limited guides on the solar dryer size a client will need based on the produce type and drying quantity per session
5. What is the mot popular use of a solar dryer?
To cleanly extract moisture (dehydrate) from farm produce, yet retain all other qualities
6. What type of solar dryer is best?
A hybrid solar dryer is the best because it allows for continuous drying; both day and night, and on cloudy or cold days
How To Install Rain Hose Kits
Grekkon Limited’s manual on how to install rain hose kits in Kenya is an easy to read step by step guide. It details every aspect of rain pipe assembly in the farm to provide understanding to farmers. As the pioneer of rain hose kits in Kenya, we are keen to that farmers receive the full benefit of rain pipe irrigation
What is the price of a rain hose irrigation kit?
| Diameter size | Flow rate per 100M | Price in KES |
| 32mm or 1″ | 13 cubic litres per hour | KES 2,500 |
| 40mm or 1-1/4” | 16 cubic litres per hour | KES 5,800 |
| 50mm to 1-1/2″ | 22 cubic litres per hour | KES 6,800 |
Rain hose pipes work under high gravity pressure (from 6M or 0.6bar), and with high volume water pumps. The discharge rate of the water pump is from 40 cubic litres per hour. These water pumps are surface solar, electric, petrol or diesel powered
A well connected rain hose pipe
How To Install Rain Hose Kits
- Trench where the poly vinyl chloride (PVC) main line will be laid. This is not necessary for the high density polyethylene (HDPE) which are surface pipes. PVC pipes are sub-surface pipes because they have no UV-treatment, and will thus degrade easily under the sun. HDPE pipes have UV treatment and will be surface pipes
- Connect the PVC or (HDPE) main line to the water pump or high tank. This pipe evacuates water from the source to the farm and is the largest in diameter. The larger the pipe diameter, the more the water it delivers. .
- Join the HDPE or PVC sub-main line to the main line. The sub-main line is smaller in diameter, and so carries less water. It is joined to the main line through PVC or HDPE accessories such as; tees, elbows, saddle clamps, adaptors or valve sockets
- Connect the rain pipe to the sub-main line or the main line where a sub-main line does not exist. This is done with a rain hose connector or a saddle clamp
- Spread the rain hose along the length, and close the terminal end with an end cap
- Connect one rain pipe to another with a connector
Rain hose fittings from left to right: end cap, connector, rubber, and ball valve
A drilling tool is the only tool used when installing a rain hose kit. This is to create an opening on the main or sub-main line to insert the rain pipe ball valve
How to Install Rain Hose Kits
Components of a rain hose irrigation kit?
1. End-caps. They close the end of the pipe to prevent further water flow
2. Starter off-takes. They connect the rain pipe to the PVC or HDPE main line that supplies water to the rain hose from a water pump or highly elevated water tank
3. Pipe connectors. To connect one rain hose pipe to another
4. Mini valves. To control water flow to the rain hose pipe
The diameter of the pipe are; 25mm, 32mm, 40mm and 50mm. A grower chooses the preferred size based on crop water needs and area of irrigation. For instance, a farmer with 1 acre of the crop will comfortably water with the volume delivered through a 32mm rain hose pipe.
Another grower with 5 acres will better irrigate with a 50mm rain hose pipe. An acre of crop uses 1,000 meters of 25mm, 800 meters of 32mm rain hose pipes, 600M of 40mm pipes, and 400M of 50mm pipes
How To Install rain Hose Kits
Rain hose irrigation system requirements
- The system requires a pressure head of 30M, and above
- When using a water pump to power the rain hose irrigation kit, the discharge rate should be from 45 cubic litres per hour
- The rate of water discharge is determined by the diameter size, and number of pores on the rain pipe. For instance, a rain pipe with 5 holes per cluster discharges less water than the one with 7 holes in a cluster
- It irrigates in opposite directions at a radius of 3M for the 32mm pipe, 5M for the 40mm pipe, and 7M for the 50mm pipe
- The vertical height of this water jet is 1M
Rain Hose Versus Drip Irrigation
- Rain pipes irrigate in an overhead fashion, drip lines irrigate to the root zone
- Drip tapes are water efficient, rain hose kits require large water volume
- Rain pipes have a higher pressure requirement than drip pipes
- Drip lines have emitters, while rain hose kits have pores done with nano technology
- The discharge rate for drip lines is 1.2 to 4 litres per hour per emitter, while the rain hose pore’s is from 7 litres per hour per emitter
- The cost of a drip kit installation per acre is from Kes 100,000, while the rain hose is from Kes 75,000
- The rain hose pipe’s minimum diameter is 25mm/ 3/4″, while drip tape’s is 8mm
Advantages Of A Rain Hose
- water saving and cost effective
- It is easy to install, use and maintain
- Ran hose nanotechnology punched holes are less prone to clogging
- It is used in a broad range of crops
- Rain hose pipes are light and easy to move about
- It irrigates uniformly
- It works under both low gravity and high water pump pressure
Rain hose irrigation system is for the following areas and on these crops
- Crop nurseries; vegetables, fruit trees, forestry
- Short vegetable crops (knee-high and below); cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, kales, spinach, collards, broad beans, carrot, strawberry, and others
- Pasture; grass and legumes
When choosing the crop to irrigate using this method, consider its susceptibility to foliage fungal infections predisposed by leaf surface wetness. Tomato, potato, peppers, peas, green beans, and chili easily succumb to foliage fungal infections when overhead or a rain hose system is used for a long time
Pasture irrigation with a rain hose
How To Install Rain hose Kits
FAQs
a. What is the difference between a rain hose irrigation system and a sprinkler system?
- The technology. The rain pipe irrigation system is designed using nano technology
- The mode of spray. A sprinkler sprays its water in one direction, a rain hose pipe sprays in 3 directions (vertically, horizontally, and diagonally)
- Placement. A sprinkler is placed upright on the surface or sub-surface (for pop up sprinklers). A rain hose is laid on the ground
b. What is the pressure in a rain pipe?
The minimum operating pressure is 30M head / 3 bars
c. What is the spacing for rain hose irrigation?
The distance from one rain pipe to another is from 1.5M depending on the operating pressure, and pipe diameter
Grekkon limited is the largest supplier and installer of rain hose irrigation systems in Kenya, and in the east and central Africa region
How To Grow Azolla
When training farmers on how to grow azolla in Kenya using Grekkon Limited’s dam liners, and shade nets, the company offers a detailed session to farmers as documented in this article. Azolla pinnata is the most common variety grown in Kenya
What is Azolla?
Azolla, belonging to the Salvinaceae family is a fresh water aquatic plant. It is a nitrogen fixing, branched free-floating fern also referred to as duckweed, mosquito fern or water fern. Its most popular characteristic is its ability to exponentially grow by doubling its biomass every 3 days depending on the growing conditions. This is why it is regarded as a super plant. Some refer to it as the green gold mine due to its high nutritive value
Azolla growing in troughs made of dam liner material, and under a green shade net – materials supplied by Grekkon Limited
Benefits of azolla
- it is a green manure because of its nitrogen fixing property
- it reduces weeds
- soil organic carbon is increased which in turn microbial biomass in the soil
- as a livestock feed, its is an economical way of providing affrodable high protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins (A, B12, Beta Carotene) to animals
How to grow azolla in Kenya
Nutrition Requirements
i .Light: Azolla grows well under partial shade. Growth decreases quickly under heavy shade (lower than 1,500 lux) and more than 50% of full sunlight reduces photosynthesis. This is why a shade net cover is necessary where sunlight is intense. It causes it to turn reddish brown, which reduces the nutrient value
ii. Nutrition: for vigorous production, add 20kgs per Ha of phosphorous. Cow dung slurry, and super phospahte fertiliser provides this
iii. Relative humidity : high at 80 – 90 %
iv. Growing PH: lightly acidic media at : 5.2-5.8
v. Temperature: keep it below 25 degrees centigrade for a luxurious growth. Where it exceeds this, provide a shade net cover
vi. Water: fresh water 10-15 cm in the multiplication pond, adequate water level in the pond is 4 inches
Steps on how to grow azolla
- select a pond site in a cool shaded location. Shade minimises evaporation, and encourages rapid growth. Ensure that that the pond site is close to a water source. To produce 1kg of azolla daily, the pond will be 2M (L) x 1.5M (W) x 0.15M (D) in dimension
- line the pond using a dam liner to prevent water loss through seepage into the soil
- add soil mixed with cow dung in the pond. Slurry can also be used. These are mixed with water and spread uniformly in the pond
- add 1kg of azolla culture
A simple azolla growing trough
How to grow azolla
Maintainance
- add 20g of super phosphate mixed with 1kg cow dung every 5 days to keep it’s growth vigorous
- replace the azolla crop after 6 months
- harvest the crop after 15 days by hand or a plastic scoop, then every 3 days afterwards to avoid overcrowding, and maintaining a large biomass. With good feeding, the yield is 1.5kgs – 1.6kgs every 3 days
- clean it thoroughly to remove the cow dung smell
- dry it or feed it fresh to livestock. It can also be mixed with other animal feeds
Azolla harvesting by hand
Harvested azolla in plastic containers
How to Grow Azolla
FAQs
1. How profitable is azolla farming in Kenya?
Azolla farming is profitable beacuse of its many uses. It can be grown commercially as;
- livstock feed
- a bio fertiliser
- as propagation material to sell to other farmers seeking to set up azolla growing units
2. What is azolla used for?
As a nitrogenous fertliser, and as an animal feed. It is easily digestible because of its high protein and low lignin content. It increases feed efficiency, daily anaimal weight gain, and milk production by 15% – 20%
3. Why is my azolla turning black?
It first turns brown due to too much exposure to sunlight, high temperatures, lack of nutrients in the pond or fungal / bacterial diseases. Eventually, the crop dies
4. Can azolla survive without sunlight?
No
5. What are the negative effects of azolla?
Azolla shades out other water plants, killing them together with fish and other aquatic animals. Its decay creates a strong odour which affects fish and other aquatic animals
6. What are the limitations of azolla?
It cannot grow in a waterless environment
7. Does azolla repel mosquitoes?
Yes it does by over 95%
8. Does azolla increase eggs production in chicken?
Yes it does because it provides protein, that adds weight to the bird
An azolla crop turning brown
Multi-Storey Gardens In Kenya
Grekkon Limited’s climate smart agriculture multi-storey gardens in Kenya are a vertical farming system popular with urban vegetable farmers. Growing herbs on a multi-storey garden in Kenya is now a common practice in limited spaces in densely populated locations. They are defined as climate smart agriculture because they conserve land and water
Multi-storey cropping in a greenhouse
What is a multi-storey garden?
It is a vertical farming method that limited space to create gardens stacked on each other. These vegetable crops (most common for kitchen gardens) provide a fresh supply of vegetables for subsistence or commercial use. Commonly grown crops are;
- Vegetables; kales, spinach, strawberry, coriander, carrot, garlic, leeks, black nightshade, amaranth
- Herbs and spices; rosemary, lemon grass, citronella, and mint
- Fruits; strawberry
A grower will choose to have the multi-storey farming system out in the open, or enclosed in a greenhouse or shade house. This multi-storey cropping is determined by the crop grown, or other factors such as crop destruction by pests or disturbance from pets. A grower will choose to have a shade net or dam liner as the supporting basis of this pyramid farming in Kenya. In this article, we look at the dam liner option
Spinach growing in on a kitchen multi-storey garden made from dam liner material
Our multi-storey garden price is Kes 2,500 a unit for the dam liner material type. This multi-storey garden cost covers all material and labor
How do you make multi-storey gardens in Kenya?
Key attributes of the dam liner material type garden
- Layers. It has 6 layers including the base
- Circumference. The base layer has a 6M circumference
- Layer reduction by height. Each layer is a meter less in circumference as it rises
- Height. Each layer has a height of 0.2M / 20cm
- Material. 0.75mm or 1mm thick HDPE dam liner to hold the soil together. The dam liner is bolted or welded at the joint
Strawberry growing on a multi-storey garden
To reduce soil compaction, and improve soil aeration, we mix soil with manure at a ratio of 2:1. On a space of 2M x 2M, a multi-storey garden will hold 180 to 250 plants. Compare this with a sack/ shade net supported garden that has 100-150 plants. And again with conventional ground farming that has 30-60 plants over the same area. All calculations factor in the walking path
Multi-storey garden materials
- dam liner
- joining clips
- soil
- fertiliser
How to irrigate multi-storey gardens in Kenya
Pre-perforated rip lines or button drippers irrigate these crops. Frequency of irrigation is twice or thrice weekly according to the prevailing weather
Multi-storey gardens in Kenya
FAQs
1. How to prepare a multi storey garden?
As described under the heading How do you make multi-storey gardens in Kenya? above
2. What is the size of a multi-storey garden?
6 square feet
3. What are the advantages of a multi-storey garden?
- It is easy to assemble, and maintain
- It saves on land and water
- They are done over small spaces
- You can grow many typesof vegetable crops on it
4. What are the disdavantages of a multi-storey garden?
- It takes time to design and make
- It requires training to make for the first time
Shade Nets In Kenya
As the top among all shade net suppliers in Kenya, Grekkon Limited’s shade nets in Kenya are of different types and color. We have all types of shade nets for agriculture, for the production of both food, and none food crops. The cost price of a shade net roll is from Kes 12,500. Below, we answer commonly asked questions
1. What are shade nets?
They are HDPE, UV treated woven or knitted netting material that regulate the amount of light and heat from the sun, air and moisture. Shade nets reduce the temperature delta (difference between day and night temperatures), thereby avoiding a sudden temperature variation, so that plants don’t suffer from thermal shock A good degree of beneficial moisture is trapped between the ground and the net. They are water permeable so that rain water, and irrigation water will reach the crop and keep it hydrated
A knitted green shade net roll
A knitted black shade net roll
2. What are shade nets used for?
- In the nursery to protect seedlings from direct radiation, and harden seedlings
- In orchards and farms to protect crops from intense sunlight as well as bird and insect pests
- Shade net fencing. On a fence to block excessive wind on the crop, and to reduce the farm’s view from outside
- To cover water reservoirs or water tanks so as to reduce water loss by evaporation
- In livestock production to protect them against extreme heat
3. How much do shade nets cost in Kenya?
Tabulated below are our shade net prices in Kenya are per meters squared, by type
| % Shade | Cost per M Sq In Kes |
| 30% | 70 |
| 55% | 75 |
| 75% | 100 |
| 90% | 170 |
Grekkon Limited’s shade nets are available as 50M x 4M rolls in all our branches country wide
4. What is the cost of shade net per acre?
Our shade nets for sale in Kenya by per acre are measured as 4,100M sq
| % Shade | Cost per Acre In Kes |
| 30% | 295,200 |
| 55% | 352,600 |
| 75% | 410,000 |
| 90% | 697,000 |
5. What are the types of shade nets?
By material
- Woven shade nets. They are made from polypropylene, are heavier and allow heat build up. They withstand the most extreme exposure to the sun, and have minimum shrinkage. Woven shade nets are for shading of plants, pet kennels, windscreens, patios and for privacy. Woven shade nets are 30% heavier than knitted shade nets, and are difficult to install
- Knitted shade nets. They are made up lightweight polyethylene. They have an open lock-stitch design that resists wind damage, and reduces heat build up in the net. The level of shrinkage is 2% to 3%. Knitted shade nets have better longevity in agricultural use as they resist agro-chemicals and detergents. They are preferred for shade houses, and greenhouses.
Grekkon Limited’s shade nets are all knitted with monofilament fabric which is durable due to he thicker thread. A thicker thread has a longer process of photo oxidation as compared to a thinner thread, hence the longer lifespan
By % shade
- 90% shade nets are appropriate for crop nurseries located in low altitude or extremely hot locations
- 75% shade nets are preferred for nurseries in high to mid altitude locations that are also hot. They are also used in the hardening stage of seedlings in hot low altitudes. This will grow ferns, orchids and succulents
- 55% shade nets are for hardening of nursery crops, or for growing plants in very hot locations for crops that are sensitive to intense sunlight. Good for growing cabbage, geraniums, lettuce, foliage plants, cuttings, orchids and most potted plants
- 30% shade nets are for growing crops that need just a little bit of shading, yet lots of light for photosynthesis. Great for growing heat tolerant plants like tomato, pepper, roses, strawberry, cucumber and squash
By color
- Black
- Green
The color choice does not affect the performance for these two. Both allow all light wavelengths go through. However, brightly colored shade nets like white and aluminum reflect the sun’s heat creating a cooling effect
6. How do shade nets work?
They absorb or reflect the sun’s heat. They act as filters by depriving the plants of excess sunlight
Shade Nets In Kenya
How To Select The Right Shade Net
- Crop type. Some crops require more shade than others
- Stage of growth. Seedlings will be more shaded than mature crops
- Farming method. A shade net on a greenhouse will be lighter than that in the open field for the same crop
- Season. Denser nets will go with hotter seasons
- Location. Hot low altitude locations will have denser nets than higher altitude cooler places
- Usage. The wind break net, the water reservoir cover net, the greenhouse cover net, and the open field net will differ
A green shade net installed as a wind break
Our shade nets are green or black in color. The color has no bearing on the net effectiveness, but is rather for aesthetic reasons. Shade nets are supported by steel, or wooden frames for shade houses