The Coordinadora began working on alternative irrigation systems, with the help of a grant from the American Jewish World Service, in 2000. Irrigation, be it with hand-powered or gasoline-powered pumps, is proving to be an important component of sustainable agriculture in the Bajo Lempa region. These new technologies and methods are allowing farmers to diversify their crops and grow them during the dry season. This is especially important in this reason because crops grown during the rainy season are often flooded and destroyed right before harvest.

AJWS volunteers helping to test a bicycle pump near El Retiro.

The Los Ensayos Irrigation District

Activities

The project technician trained beneficiary families in crop irrigation (how to determine frequency and amount of irrigation necessary). The technician and beneficiaries evaluated and adjusted the gasoline pump's capacity, evaluated the drip irrigation system and the resealable holes, and determined which activities should be carried out during the next project period.

Achievements

The evaluation of this water district allowed the beneficiaries to make adjustments improving its efficiency and potential. The beneficiaries learned how to determine crops' water needs based on soil moisture. They now know how to measure the system's water delivery, so that they can irrigate exactly the desired amount. Analysis of the mechanical system determined that the gasoline pump can fill the 10,000 liter tank with water in 46 minutes, using 0.95 liters of gasoline. This is enough water to irrigate one beneficiary's plot. After evaluating several different types of screws and stoppers (to regulate water flow from the hose to the crops), they found one that is both easy to use and doesn't corrode.

Future Activities

Evaluation of the irrigation system will continue during April and May, the last two months of El Salvador's dry season, to improve efficiency and potential. Data will continue to be collected, measuring water consumption by crop and plot. Once the dry season ends, a final report will be prepared on the irrigation system's efficiency and functioning. Later, based on the experience from this project and if the opportunity exists to create another community irrigation district, the Coordinadora will design a system to facilitate this process.

Drip Irrigation Mini-District in San Hilario

Achievements

The four producers from San Hilario worked with the project technician to map the terrain where they would install the irrigation system (including topsoil conditions, topography, crop adaptability to these conditions, etc.). Their analysis determined that the project would work on their four adjoining parcels. The four beneficiary producers are Gabriel Rivas, Santos Merenciano Ortíz (both with experience in managing agro-ecological plots), Isabel Hernández, and Santos Abilio Andrade. They designed the system to cover 1.7 acres in total (0.43 acres per beneficiary family), with the potential to increase it three-fold in the future.

Design

The beneficiaries and the technician discussed, using participatory methods, the design and placement of the irrigation system. They agreed to the following design: the pump and 1,100 liter tank will be used collectively, with the tank placed on a tower 2.5 meters above the ground. Water distribution would use individual systems of 2 1/2 inch hose.

Installation

The system was installed according to the design, with the participation of the beneficiaries. The technician trained and assisted them before and during the installation.

System Use

The beneficiaries use the irrigation system based on a schedule that they developed. They are using it to irrigate the following crops: plantains, cocoa, squash, cucumber, and tomato.

Design and Construction of
Alternative Water Pumps for Irrigation

Achievements

Based on prior experience and the results of its research, the Coordinadora chose to develop two rope-pump prototypes: one would be elevated and hand-powered, the other would be foot-powered. The Coordinadora contracted a local metal worker, Mr. Wilfredo Sosa of San Hilario, to create the necessary structures for the pumps.

The Elevated Hand Pump

This pump uses a hand-powered wheel at the top of a 2.5 meter structure where the water tank rests. The rope, with gaskets at regular intervals held in place by knots, forms a loop from the top of the structure to the bottom of the well directly below. It draws water when it passes back up from the bottom of the well, passing through a 1" PVC tube, thus capturing the water between the gaskets and the walls of the tube. The pump operator thus fills the water tank.

Cayetano Velasquez and Miguel Ramirez demonstrate the use of the bicycle pump.

The Bicycle Pump This pump is essentially the same as the above-described hand pump, except that it uses foot power and a modified bicycle to pump the water. The Coordinadora installed this pump on a plot owned by Cayetano Velásquez of Ciudad Romero. This also produced positive results in both efficiency and the producer's acceptance of the new technology. He and his children demonstrated, through practice, that it is easy to use. As with the hand pump, the project technician continues evaluating the bicycle pump and making adjustments to maximize efficiency.

Future Activities

At the end of the dry season, the technician will carry out a comparative analysis of the different irrigation systems in use in the region. He seeks to work with the University of El Salvador's Agricultural Sciences Department on this analysis, which will serve as the basis for future irrigation systems in the Coordinadora's communities.

General Commentary

The earthquakes in January and February noticeably affected most people in the Bajo Lempa. From January through March, most of the Coordinadora's staff dedicated itself, above all, to relief and recovery activities. Nonetheless, it achieved significant advances in the research, testing, and reproduction of new irrigation technology in the region. The positive results of these activities contributed, significantly, to elevate the morale of the families affected by the quakes, especially as they allowed the families to immediately begin producing food. Furthermore, the innovative and appropriate character of these irrigation technologies have awakened great expectations in neighboring communities.