Eunidrip irrigation system as suppliers?

Eunidrip irrigation systems started in March 2014 with main objective of addressing sustainability in food security, poverty and financial instability in order to become leading irrigation equipment supplier in Kenya.

Season after season, we have worked side-by-side with both small and large corporate plantations to provide the right irrigation solutions  as a leading Irrigation Equipment Supplier

A Eunidrip irrigation system is one of the biggest irrigation equipment supplier. We deal with all irrigation equipment.

They include a drip system, overhead irrigation systems, flooding irrigation systems, dam and pond lining, green house and net house construction.

The drip system involves the provision of water below the plant stem by use of drip emitters which include button drippers, arrow drippers and drip tape.

The overhead irrigation system involves the provision of water above the crop leaves.

This overhead irrigation equipment supplier, we supply the  rain gun sprinklers, regular or medium sprinklers and micro-sprinklers like misters.

As irrigation equipment supplier, we identify customer needs. These needs include the following;

1. Climatic factors. – The quantity of the water applied to the farm depends with the quantity and duration of light intensity and humidity.
2. Agricultural market demand, and supply.
3. Soil characteristics. – This includes water holding capacity of the soil, soil water intake rate and depth.
4. Labor availability.- Its important to check availability of labor both skilled and unskilled before settling on a specific type of irrigation
5. Water quality and quantity. Water to be used for irrigation should not contain any matter which is harmful to crops to be grown the salt concentrations of irrigation water should be within the limits that can be tolerated by the crop to be grown.
6. Energy availability and reliability.
7. Economic status of the farmer.- cost of maintenance and expected life of cost of irrigation system includes annual return
8. Crop type to be grown. – The output of the crop grown is highly affected by the method of water application and quantity delivered to the plants.
9. Topographical conditions of the land .i.e. land slope. Topography has to do with location and elevation of the water supply sources with respect to the land boundaries, the area and the pattern.

Areas of specialization as irrigation equipment supplier

Under the drip irrigation supplier, we deal with an entire drip system which involves main HDPE pipes, sub-main lines, drippers (button drippers, arrow drippers and drip tapes of various pressure nominal), filtration units (disc and screen filters) control valves and the water tanks

On overhead irrigation  equipment supplies, we are proud to be on top of the list. We stock various overhead irrigation equipment, which includes misters (G misters), medium size (three-quarter to one-inch sprinklers). Large sprinklers like rain guns and reel hose are also our area of specialty.

Micro irrigation equipment  supplier

Micro sprinklers are emitters which spray water out to larger diameters than typical drippers or spray jets.

While the spray pattern is usually 360 degrees, at least one type is available with an adjustable arc between 30 and 330 degrees

The choice of micro-sprinklers depends on the size of the pumping unit. Water availability, type of the soil, type and the plant to be grown. The size of the farm is also a factor.

Big farms above an acre require the use of rain guns. Rain guns cover a larger radius of at least 25 meters.

Main pipes and sub-main lines as irrigation supplier

Main pipes are the pipes that draw water from the source either from lakes, streams, dams or water tanks.

As one of the irrigation suppliers, we stock various pipes of high-density polyethylene pipes, HDPE, of various diameters ranging from 16 millimeters to 63 millimeters.

Our main lines and sub-main lines are of pressure nominal, PN, of 6. This ensures easy work-ability.

Drippers

The most common emitter is a dripper or button dripper, and emits water at a specific rate, usually between 1 liter and 2 liters per hour (lph). Drippers are commonly used to water individual plants, and most drippers are color-coded so the user can easily identify the different flow rates.

Cleanable drippers have a removable cap to allow the user to remove small obstructions within the dripper. A dripper that is not cleanable would need to be replaced if it becomes clogged.

Pressure compensating drippers deliver a precise amount of water regardless of changes in pressure due to long tubing runs or changes in terrain elevations.

HDPE fittings

Eunidrip as the major irrigation equipment suppliers, we stock and supply various sizes of HDPE fittings of all sizes ranging from drip fittings which are drip connectors of 16millimeters, drip end caps, starters and drip takeoffs of all 16 millimeters, HDPE fittings of 32 millimeters to 63 millimeters of high-pressure nominal above PN 16.

The available fittings include;

1. Male couplings i.e. with external threads of 16millimeters to 63 millimetres
2. Female couplings i.e. with internal threads millimetres to 63 millimetres
3. Middle connectors of 16millimeters to 63 millimetres
4. Reducing coupling of all sizes
5. P e elbows of all sizes from 16 mm to 63 mm

 

Drip fittings.

Eunidrip stocks various stock components of drip of various sizes. These components includes drip tapes, drip connectors, drip end caps, drip take offs and starters.

These components come with various sizes of 16 millimetres and 12 millimetres. But the commonly used drip components are of size 16 millimetres. This size (16 millimetres) enables large water discharge as compared to 12 millimetres.

• Drip tape or drip line

Drip tape is the emitters used to efficiently and accurately deliver water droplets onto the plant roots. The emitters are pin-hole sized to minimize the loss of water and channel water directly to the required plant.

Drip tape types

Drip tapes vary in sizes depending with wall thickness, material type and the drip length. The drip tape come with different intervals of 10 centimetres, 15 centimetres, 20 centimetres, 30 centimetres and 40 centimetres.

The intervals are the spaces between the emitters. The emitters are usually single or double emitters. Double emitters are the best considered because of large water volume discharged from the main tubing.

Drip tape is made of plastic, polyethylene, and is sold flat on reels. The wall thickness typically ranges from 0.1–0.6 mm. Thicker walled tapes are commonly used for permanent subsurface drip irrigation and thinner walled tapes for temporary type systems in high-value crops

The drip tape is well designed to discharge one litter of water per hour. This discharge ensures water is efficiently and economically used

The economical water budget is the major determinant of the production cost.  This dictates the type of plant to be grown. Broad leave plants require much water as compared to small leaved plants. This will affect the drip tape emitters to be used.

Drip lines are stock in form of rolls. The rolls contain different lengths of 1000 meters, 1200 meters and 1300 meters. The choice of the drip tape depends on farmer’s garden length, types of the plant to be grown and the economical budget.

Advantages of drip tape

1. Extensive land leveling is not required, drip irrigation can be employed in all landscapes;
2. Irrigation water can be used at a maximum efficiency level and water losses can be reduced to a minimum;
3. Soil conditions can be taken into account to a maximum extent and soil erosion risk due to irrigation water impact can be reduced to a minimum;
4. Fertilizer and nutrients can be used with high efficiency; as water is applied locally and leaching is reduced, fertilizer/nutrient loss is minimized (reduced risk of groundwater contamination);
5. Weed growth is reduced as water and nutrients are supplied only to the cultivated plant;
6. Positive impact on seed germination and yield development;
7. Low operational costs due to reduced labor requirement, in particular energy cost can be reduced as drip irrigation is operated with lower pressure than other irrigation methods.

 

• Takeoffs

Take off is a plastic fitting that connects a main pipe with a drip tap  They come in different sizes, but most common are mm(eight millimetre),12 mm(twelve millimetre) and 16 mm (millimetre).

Currently 16 mm (millimetre) takeoff is the most common in the market. They come in different designs and colors most takeoffs are complete black or may have a blue lock.

Standard takeoff can sustain a working pressure of up to 16 bars. Most of irrigation systems work at a pressure of three bar and below.

 

Drip valve

Drip valves are the connectors use in connecting the drip lines or drip tapes to the sub main line. Their uses are similar to irrigation takeoffs only that drip valve has a water controlling knob. The common usage of drip valves is to control the entire flow of water through a specific drip line length.

This off and on operation of drip valves enable the independent use of the drip line. For instance, whenever there are leakages in a given drip line length, the operator just need to identify the line with the leakages and turn off the drip valves.

Operator will always proceed with the maintenance of the drip line length while the other remaining drip lines lengths are operating normally.

Drip valves are of different sizes depending with the type of drip line the farmer decides on. The available drip valves that we stock are of 16 millimetres and 12 millimetres. driplines to be used cone with this specifications

Drip line come with different colors codes. The common color codes are blue, red, yellow, black and green.

Specifications of drip valve connectors

1. Working pressure of 50 K pa to 150 K pa.
2. Rated water flow 1.38 l/h to 3.2 l/h
3. Self flushing with anti logging performance
4. Easy to connect and disconnect to both drip line and sub main lines.
5. Highly resistant to UV rays.
6. Commonly used with Low Density Polyethylene Pipes (LDPE) and High Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE).
7. Internal diameters of 16 millimeters to 0.75 inch.
8. Made of polyethylene material.

 

Drip valves usage

1. Commonly used in green houses, net houses and open fields.
2. When used in fertilizer application, it increases efficiency in application.
3. Specific types are used for matching drip line (used as drip middle connectors).

Drip valves maintenance

1. Frequent flushing with water to avoid particles blockages.

 

Shade nets

Shade nets are the upcoming synthetic fibers materials that are nowadays preferred in the construction of net houses, greenhouses and preparing seed nurseries. They are mostly used in a broad variety of crops like blackberries, chives, and tomatoes.

Shade net percentages and their uses  

Shade nets vary with light emission intensity. Light emission intensity is the amount of shade which the shade net provides to the crops under it.

The commonly used nets are categorized in terms of percentages. The available percentages commonly used are 90%, 75%, 60%, 55% and 50%.

For instance, 90% light emission shows that the net provides 90% shade thus cutting out 10% of the light from reaching the plants.

Nets also come in different colors ranging from white, black and green colors.

Nets provide protection from birds; provide uniform shadow to plants and to control air movement in greenhouses, net houses, and nurseries. The nets are UV treated with resistant additives giving the net its good strength and durability.

A shade percentage of 30%-50% is ideal for vegetables and flowers.

Cost of shade nets

Light and heat emission of shade nets (percentages, %,) dictates the price of each shade net

Chives in shade net house. The shade net with higher percentages cost relatively high as compared to shade nets of lower percentages.

The cost of the shade net is not dictated by the color. The colors listed above mostly dictate the type of plant to be grown.

The commonly used cost method in the market is calculated by determining the square unit of the net. Thus the cost is multiplied by the square unit found.

Shade net sizes

Shade nets are available in sizes depending on widths and lengths. The commonly available widths in the market are three meters (3 m), four meters (4 m) and eight meters (8 m). Lengths available in the market are 50 meters and 100 meters.

Importance of shade nets

1. It is easy to wash
2. Do not get Decay
3. Nets are easy to carry and easy to install
4. Easy to relocate
5. They are ideal for gardens, plant nurseries, home terrace gardening.
6. Minimizes plant wind pressures to avoid damage to plants and enhances photosynthesis to stimulate plant growth.
7. Conserves water
8. Protects plants from pests and diseases.

 

Green house and net house construction

In Kenya green house construction has been a lucrative business however some farmers make minor mistakes which are very costly

Over the last couple of years, the world has been facing a global food crisis, and Kenya is no exception.

In Kenya food insecurity has been accelerated by drought brought about by climate change. That notwithstanding, the climate has changed drastically, and it’s mainly characterized by dry seasons.

Such situations lead to most farmers suffering because of poor soil nutrition and water shortages, which are poor conditions for food production.

As a result, farmers are now looking towards greenhouse construction in Kenya to allow them to grow crops during both wet and dry seasons.

Greenhouses have proven an effective alternative to increase productivity for both small scale and large scale farmers.

Besides, greenhouses can help improve their livelihoods and promote food security in Kenya. Farmers can construct either plastic-covered or permanent glass greenhouses that create a suitable environment for growing healthy crops all year round.

Growth of crops is promoted by proper structures good irrigation and good agronomy practices

The benefits of growing plants in a greenhouse

Over time, farmers have come to realize that there are plenty of benefits of growing plants in a greenhouse, especially with the uncertainty in climate change lately.

However, before you carry out your greenhouse construction in Kenya, you have to conduct adequate research to ensure that you will reap some of the following benefits.

1. A greenhouse delivers an extended growing season
2. There are consistency and reliability in food production
3. You can plant a variety of crops in a greenhouse
4. It allows you to control the growth environment, humidity levels, and soil easily
5. A greenhouse makes it easy for you to control insect and animal infestation

Greenhouse accessories for greenhouse construction

 

Apart from the frame and exterior structure of the greenhouse, you need to know that there are accessories that have to go into a greenhouse to ensure that your crops grow as you would like.

However, the accessories you put greatly depend on your budget allocations as they could get pricey at times.

You need to consider what you really need in your greenhouse, and the accessories that you could place during your greenhouse construction in Kenya include a heating system, automatic vents, shelving, a fan, a mist system, and a rack among other accessories.

How do you prepare for your first growing season

Now that you’ve already set up your greenhouse, including the accessories you want, you have to prepare for the growing season, but that also depends on the type of plant that you would like to grow in your greenhouse.

If it is your first time dealing with a greenhouse, then you need to start off with straight-forward crops instead of going for complicated crops without the experience.

You will find that most greenhouse farmers in Kenya start with vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, leafy greens, and turnips among others.

It is also advisable for you to group together plants that have a similar growth cycle so that you can organize your planting season accordingly.

You should also know that not all the seeds that you plant will germinate. That’s why it is advisable for you to plant more seeds than you would expect to grow.

Doing so will help you save a significant amount of time, which you would otherwise spend transplanting.

On the other hand, if you are planting crops that climb vertically such as tomatoes, then you need to plant them on a raised platform on your greenhouse’s floor. A bench could also serve as a suitable alternative.