Nakuru, Kenya
July 15, 2021
This project is located in Nakuru, a region in Kenya defined by its semi-arid climatic conditions. Here, annual rainfall is sparse — often averaging less than 600mm per year, and daytime temperatures frequently climb above 28°C, driving high evaporation rates that put constant pressure on local water resources. For the smallholder farmers who live and work in this area, tomatoes and onions are not just crops, but their primary source of income.
Before using our drip irrigation system, farmers watered crops manually with buckets. This method caused uneven hydration — some plants rotted from overwatering, while others withered from drought. It also required heavy labor: farmers spent hours hauling water, leaving little time for weeding or selling produce. In peak growing seasons (when plants need more frequent water), many farmers were forced to hire additional laborers—spending up to 30% of their anticipated crop earnings on wages.
We then installed drip lines with pressure-compensating drippers. The pressure-compensating drippers were a key technical upgrade: unlike standard drippers, which deliver inconsistent water flow if the line is sloped or far from the water source, these drippers maintain a steady 2 L/H output to every plant. This ensured that water was delivered directly to the root zone of each tomato and onion, minimizing evaporation waste and guaranteeing uniform hydration.
The results were clear: water use dropped by 30%, letting farmers save water for dry spells or expand their irrigated areas. Tomatoes grew larger and more uniform, making them popular with traders. This allowed farmers to get better prices, boosting their incomes.
The project turned a wasteful, labor-heavy process into a sustainable one. It conserved water, improved crop quality, and lifted farmer livelihoods in Nakuru.
