Types of Irrigation Pipes In Kenya
Grekkon Limited supplies and installs various types of irrigation pipes in Kenya. These pipes are of different diameter sizes, lengths, and wall thickness. The larger the pipe diameter, the more volume of water it carries, and the lesser the frictional losses. With a longer pipe, a grower requires less connections between pipes. Wall thickness determines the amount of water pressure a pipe will withstand. The thicker the wall, the greater the water pressure withstood. It is indicated as pressure nominal (PN), with a number. The higher the number the thicker the walls
Types of Irrigation Pipes in Kenya
1. HDPE pipes (High density polyethylene pipes)
They are black in colour and are manufactured as rolls of 100M for these diameter sizes below
16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 63mm, and 90mm.
Larger then 90mm, we supply them as 50M rolls. Grekkon Limited’s HDPE pipes are UV treated for surface application. They have a long lifespan because they are not easily degraded by the sun when exposed.
HDPE Pipe prices in Kenya
Size in MM | PN6 | PN8 | PN10 | PN12.5 | PN16 | PN20 | PN25 | Length (M) |
16 | 17.00 | 17.00 | 100M | |||||
20 | 25 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 41 | 49 | 100M |
25 | 34 | 36 | 40 | 46 | 52 | 64 | 74 | 100M |
32 | 49 | 49 | 59 | 71 | 86 | 101 | 120 | 100M |
40 | 61 | 76 | 90 | 112 | 132 | 157 | 187 | 100M |
50 | 95 | 115 | 139 | 169 | 206 | 243 | 289 | 100M |
63 | 151 | 178 | 222 | 269 | 324 | 390 | 454 | 100M |
75 | 207 | 255 | 313 | 382 | 453 | 547 | 648 | 100M |
90 | 300 | 364 | 450 | 547 | 657 | 789 | 930 | 100M |
110 | 441 | 548 | 669 | 810 | 974 | 1,170 | 1,394 | 50M |
125 | 568 | 700 | 854 | 1,044 | 1,264 | 1,514 | 1,793 | 50M |
140 | 716 | 876 | 1,073 | 1,307 | 1,575 | 1,898 | 2,254 | 50M |
160 | 940 | 1,149 | 1,399 | 1,706 | 2,063 | 2,472 | 2,932 | 12M |
180 | 1,171 | 1,444 | 1,770 | 2,165 | 2,614 | 3,126 | 3,706 | 12M |
200 | 1,451 | 1,789 | 2,183 | 2,655 | 3,223 | 3,866 | 4,584 | 12M |
225 | 1,824 | 2,168 | 2,771 | 3,372 | 4,080 | 4,895 | 5,797 | 12M |
250 | 2,254 | 2,767 | 3,395 | 4,153 | 5,017 | 6,015 | 7,154 | 12M |
280 | 2,819 | 3,492 | 4,265 | 5,205 | 6,291 | 7,560 | 8,972 | 12M |
315 | 3,592 | 4,389 | 5,401 | 6,596 | 7,963 | 9,562 | 11,358 | 12M |
355 | 4,538 | 5,573 | 6,875 | 8,363 | 10,108 | 12,147 | 14,401 | 12M |
400 | 5,755 | 7,106 | 8,688 | 10,605 | 12,833 | 15,408 | 18,288 | 12M |
450 | 7,277 | 8,987 | 11,007 | 13,433 | 16,251 | 19,507 | 23,137 | 12M |
500 | 8,976 | 11,087 | 13,601 | 16,576 | 20,052 | 24,038 | – | 12M |
560 | 11,252 | 13,877 | 17,038 | 20,796 | 25,120 | 30,158 | – | 12M |
630 | 14,257 | 17,529 | 21,579 | 26,285 | 31,828 | 38,163 | – | 12M |
2. PVC Pipes (Polyvinyl chloride pipes)
PVC pipes are 6M long, come in different diameter and wall thickness sizes. They have no UV treatment and are thus for sub-surface irrigation application.
PVC Pipe Prices in Kenya
Size in MM | PN6 | PN8 | PN10 | PN12.5 | PN16 |
379 | |||||
425 | 532 | ||||
32 | 553 | 588 | 694 | 795 | |
40 | 698 | 744 | 877 | 1093 | 1220 |
50 | 935 | 1,162 | 1,383 | 1705 | 1760 |
63 | 1,475 | 1,833 | 2,177 | 2722 | 3359 |
75 | 2,024 | 2,529 | 3,111 | 3839 | 4702 |
90 | 2,955 | 3,664 | 4,459 | 5527 | 6755 |
110 | 3,508 | 4,388 | 5,951 | 6717 | 8260 |
140 | 5,782 | 7,060 | 8,795 | 10805 | 13229 |
160 | 7,295 | 9,195 | 11,536 | 14189 | 17032 |
200 | 11,566 | 14,538 | 17,915 | 22116 | 27086 |
225 | 14,610 | 18,210 | 22,521 | 27991 | 34312 |
3. Delivery/ Lay-flat pipes
They are highly flexible irrigation water pipes made from UV treated PVC material.They are supplied as 30M, 50M or 100M long. The diameters are 2″ and 3″, with thicknesses of PN6, PN8 1nd PN10. These pipes are designed for surface use.
In sprinkler irrigation systems, they are connected to a water pump, or a HDPE or PVC pipe main line, then to a water sprinkler. In drip irrigation systems, it will be a main, or sub main line
Types of Irrigation Pipes In Kenya; How to select your irrigation pipe
- Farm ownership method. A leased farm will have the surface HDPE pipes which will be disconnected when the lease period expires. A permanent farm will have sub-surface PVC pipes
- Irrigation method. Drip and rain hose kits will have HDPE and PVC as the main and sub main line often times. Sprinkler systems are best done with delivery pipes due to sprinkler movement in the farm
- Farm size. A larger farm will have larger diameter pipes because more water is needed to irrigate
- Pressure type. Irrigation water flow by gravity is through less thicker pipes such as PN6 or PN8
Adjustable Button Drippers For Irrigation
1. What is a button drip emitter?
Adjustable button drippers for irrigation are irrigation accessories attached onto a high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. They deliver a consistent and uniform amount of water the crop by regulating the flow. Button drippers in Kenya, button drip are common in fruit trees, forestry and hedges irrigation
2. How do you install button drippers?
A perforation is made on the HDPE pipe with a drip punch, then the button dripper’s pointed end is pushed into this hole. This punching is done at the point where the tree crop is. But it will be away from the trunk to ensure that water flows to the roots below. The button dripper will be 3-6 inches away from the trunk. This will also prevent fungal infections and other types of diseases.
For younger tree crops, a single button dripper or emitter is sufficient. However, with older larger trees, 2 or more button drippers are provided according to the plant’s water need. In this case, have them equally on the opposite sides of the tree crop to promote even root growth. Two or multiple button drippers ensure that if one is blocked, the other one or the rest continue to water
3. How do you use an adjustable button dripper?
Once in place on the irrigation line, you will adjust your button dripper from 0 discharge to 70 liters per hour flow of water. This is done by turning the dripper to achieve different flow rates as per the crop water needs
4. How long should button drippers run?
Your adjustable button drippers for irrigation will run for 30 minutes to an hour. This is guided by the moisture requirement of the soil, as per the prevailing weather conditions
5. How many button drippers can I run on one line?
This is determined by the diameter size of the irrigation pipe. The larger it is, the more water it ferries over a longer distance. Therefore, the greater the number of button drippers. The other factor is the flow rate of the adjustable button drippers themselves. If adjusted to maximum flow rate (70L per hour), then the line will have less. If the adjustment is to half of that flow rate, then a similar line will carry twice as much
6. How do I increase the pressure in my button drip irrigation system?
They are several ways to raise the irrigation water pressure in your button drip irrigation system
i. Divide the farm into blocks, each of which is irrigated separately. This way, irrigation water is channeled to particular block under high pressure
ii. If it is by gravity flow, then by raising the storage elevation. This will work where raised water tanks are the source of irrigation water
iii. By introducing an external source of pressure, such a s water pump to boost the flow of irrigation water in the system
Adjustable button drippers for irrigation price in Kenya
The cost of a button dripper is Kes 12 a unit
The cost of a button dripper irrigation system per acre depends on the tree crop spacing. In the tabulation below, we provide 3 examples
Avocado | Passion / Paw Paw |
Apple / Tree Tomato | ||
Spacing | 5M x 5M | 3M x 3M | 2.5M x 2.5M | |
Cost per Acre | Kes 85,000 | Kes 100,000 | Kes 115,00 |
Cost Of Drip Irrigation Per Acre
The cost of drip irrigation per acre in Kenya varies from crop to crop. Grekkon Limited is the top most of all drip irrigation kits suppliers in Kenya. Our drip irrigation system price in Kenya depends on the crop type. For tree crops and hedges, button drippers are installed. In vegetable crops, pre-perforated drip pipes are laid. The emitter spacing on the pre-perforated drip lines is either; 15cm, 20cm, or 30cm. A grower selects according to the vegetable crop type spacing.
We provide our growers a choice of single or double emitter drip irrigation tapes. Double emitter drip lines are helpful in high saline irrigation water locations where salt precipitates form and clog drip emitters. When one emitter is clogged, then the other one continues to irrigate at the same rate. Drip irrigation pipes for sale in Kenya by Grekkon Limited are PVC, and HDPE types
Cost of Drip Irrigation Per Acre
Determining Factors
- Crop type.It determines the crop spacing. Is it a fruit or vegetable garden? Fruit trees and fruit vines or runners such as melons 🍉 take less drip tape per acre. So they have the least cost. Vegetable crops take more drip lines, and are thus more expensive
- Pipe type. It is a PVC or HDPE mainline, and sub-mainline? The former is more expensive to work with
- Water pressure available. The higher the pressure, the less the number of irrigation blocks. Less irrigation blocks per acre means less fittings and accessories, so it’s less expensive. With low pressure, more irrigation blocks are created, at a higher unit cost
I. An Eighth To One Acre Drip Irrigation Kit Prices
Crop Type | Drip Lines Per Bed | Acreage | Cost in Kes |
Watermelon | 1 | 1/8 | 15,000 |
1/4 | 25,000 | ||
1/2 | 45,000 | ||
1 | 85,000 | ||
Tomato, cabbage, chilies, capsicum, green beans, peas | 2 | 1/8 | 25,000 |
1/4 | 40,000 | ||
1/2 | 75,000 | ||
1 | 140,000 | ||
Onion, garlic, herbs, spices, strawberry | 1/8 | 27,500 | |
3 | 1/4 | 45,000 | |
1/2 | 85,000 | ||
1 | 160,000 |
II. Fruit Tree Button Drip Kit Irrigation Prices
Crop Type | Acreage | Cost in Kes |
Tree Tomato/ Pawpaw/ Passion/ Coffee | 1/8 | 15,000 |
1/4 | 25,000 | |
1/2 | 45,000 | |
1 | 85,000 | |
Avocado | 1/8 | 15,000 |
1/4 | 25,000 | |
1/2 | 40,000 | |
1 | 70,000 |
FAQS
a. How much does it cost to install a drip irrigation system in Kenya?
The tabulated cost of drip irrigation per acre in Kenya includes the cost of installation by our technicians. We conduct our installations in all of east Africa, for every grower. After installation, our agronomy team provides 4 months of free agronomy training for new farmers.
b. How much does drip irrigation cost per hectare?
The cost of drip irrigation per hectare is 2.5 times the cost provided per acre
c. How many drip lines per acre?
This is determined by the crop type. 3,000M for 1 drip row per bed, 6,000M for 2 drip rows per bed, and 8,000M for 3 drip rows per bed
4. What is the maximum length of a drip irrigation line?
Your 16mm drip irrigation line will run for 25 to 27M under gravity flow, where the head is below 10M. From 10M head, this will go up to 50M
5. How far apart are drip irrigation holes?
Our emitter spacing is; 15cm, 20cm, and 30cm
6. How do I calculate drip irrigation?
- Determine the emitter spacing, for example 15cm
- Divide the drip length by this spacing to determine the number of emitters per roll. In our case, 1,000M divided by 0.15M= 6,667 emitters
- Multiply the emitters by the number of rolls per acre, for example 6 rolls, so 40,000 emitters per acre
- Multiply the emitter flow rate by the total number of emitters to get the amount of water discharged per hour. For example 1.5 litres per hour x 40,000= 60,000 litres per hour
7. Which pipe is best for drip irrigation?
HDPE pipes are the best as main and sub main lines because they have UV treatment. This means that they will be used either as surface or sub-surface pipes
8. Can you run a drip line uphill?
Yes. But the head of the flow must be higher than the vertical height of the slope
9. What pipe size should I use for drip irrigation?
The size of the pipe installed is determined by the area under irrigation. The larger it is, the larger the pipes used
10. How do I know how long to run drip irrigation?
This is determined by the existing level of soil moisture. Run it for 20 minutes to 1 hour according to the amount of water needed
11. How do I increase the pressure in my drip irrigation system?
They are several ways to raise the irrigation water pressure in your drip irrigation system
i. Divide the farm into blocks, each of which is irrigated separately. This way, irrigation water is channeled to particular block under high pressure
ii. If it is by gravity flow, then by raising the storage elevation. This will work where raised water tanks are the source of irrigation water
iii. By introducing an external source of pressure, such a s water pump to boost the flow of irrigation water in the system
Tomato Drip Kit Price
Tomato drip kit price in Kenya by Grekkon Limited is by acreage. Our drip irrigation prices range as; kitchen gardens, 1/8th acre, 1/4 acre, 1/2 acre, 3/4acre and 1 acre. The components of these tomato drip are; HDPE pipe. The diameter ranges from 1″ to 1-1/2″ according to the size of the area HDPE fittings. […]
Drip Irrigation System
Every drip irrigation system in Kenya by Grekkon Limited supported by a HDPE or PVC line. We are the largest drip irrigation kits suppliers in Kenya, reaching the highest number of farmers. At the very bottom we do simple drip irrigation systems, also known as kitchen garden drips. It advances to 1 acre drip irrigation kits, 5 acre drip irrigation systems to hundreds of acres. Our drip pipes for sale in Kenya are the double emitter drip irrigation pipes
Drip Irrigation Kits Prices In Kenya Are A Factor Of
- Crop type
- Bed spacing
- Terrain
Drip Irrigation System Cost Per Acre In Kenya
Crop Type | Lines Per Bed | Acreage | Cost in Kes |
Watermelon, sweet melon, butter nut | 1 | 0.125 | 15,000 |
0.25 | 25,000 | ||
0.50 | 45,000 | ||
1 | 85,000 | ||
Tomato, cabbage, chillies, capsicum | 2 | 0 | 25,000 |
0.25 | 40,000 | ||
0.50 | 75,000 | ||
1 | 140,000 | ||
Onion, garlic, herbs, spices, strawberry, green beans | 0 | 27,500 | |
3 | 0.25 | 45,000 | |
0.50 | 85,000 | ||
1 | 160,000 |
Drip Kit Components
- The main line. This is a PVC or a HDPE pipe. The choice of pipe thickness is according to the pressure of the water in it. A farmer with gravity flow has a thinner pipe than one with a high pressure water pump
- Water filter. To remove impurities that will otherwise block the drip pipe emitters
- Gate vales. They control the water movement from one point to another by opening or closing
- Main line fittings; tees, elbows, adaptors, connectors, saddle clamps, reducers, and end caps. They are either PVC or HDPE as per the pipe. Their size depends on the pipe size
- The sub main line. This is connected to the main line, and is the origin of drip lines
- Sub-main line fittings; tees, elbows, adaptors, connectors, saddle clamps, reducers, and end caps. They are either PVC or HDPE as per the pipe. Their size depends on the pipe size
- Drip pipes. These pre-perforated pipes have emitters that supply water to the crop directly
- Drip fittings; starter connectors, off take connectors, drip to drip connectors, rubbers, mini-valves, and end caps