29/10/2026
The Reality of Irrigation Installation – It’s Not Just About Water Coming Out
I recently saw a post on Facebook about a farmer in Mumbwa somewhere, and it reinforced what I have been saying for a long time.
Here is the truth about our industry:
1. The Installer vs. The Technician
We have a lot of irrigation system installers. Among them, we have many "bush installers" and very few professional Irrigation Technicians. There is a massive difference.
2. Crop Water Requirement
This is the most underlooked factor, especially by the so-called bush installers. If you don't calculate the crop water requirement, you are just guessing.
3. The Missing First Step: Borehole Testing
The most underlooked factor by farmers is not doing a Borehole Pump test before investing heavily. You need to understand your borehole first. This is step one.
4. Pump Sizing
Pump sizing is another critical element that is ignored. These days, everyone installs pumps because it’s about making money, not providing a service. As long as water comes out, they end there.
Let me tell you: there is a lot to consider when installing a pump. It is not just about putting the pump in the water and watching it flow.
A Perfect Example:
Someone called me the other day to enquire about what to buy for a Drip Irrigation installation. Imagine, an "installer" who doesn't know there is a need for a drip rubber. I just laughed. And this person is calling themselves an installer. 😂😂😂
And there are going to install Drip for more than 3 hectares 😂😂😂
In Conclusion:
Farmers, please engage people who genuinely understand these things.
The problem is that you want cheap labor, and it has its own consequences.
- As an Agricultural Engineer, I have re-done and re-assessed more than 20 irrigation systems that failed due to the factors mentioned above.
To the Technicians:
- If you don't understand something, you are better off engaging someone who does and learning from them. It is not just about money; it is about the solutions you bring to the table.
To the "Jack of All Trades":
- Let's stick to what you know best. You can't do everything.
Good day from Mpundu The Agri-Engineer