07/05/2026
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟭 𝗛𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
Many farmers often ask: “What is the total cost of drip irrigation per hectare?”
We would like to educate farmers that the cost of installing drip irrigation on 1 hectare is not fixed. The total cost varies from one field to another depending on several important factors.
1. Inter-row Spacing / Line-to-Line Spacing
A standard hectare measures 100m × 100m. The spacing between drip lines greatly affects the quantity of drip tape and accessories required.
For example:
1. A 1Ha to***co field with line spacings of 1.2m requires approximately 83 drip lines and 83 accessories.
2. A 1Ha onion field with line spacings of 30cm requires approximately 333 drip lines and 333 accessories.
This means the drip material required for 1 hectare of onions can be almost equivalent to that required for 4 hectares of to***co.
It is therefore important for farmers to clearly specify their preferred crop spacing when requesting a quotation and also appreciate why costs differ from one crop to another.
_____________________________________________
2. Field Dimensions (Length × Width)
A hectare is simply an area of 10,000m², meaning it can take different shapes and dimensions.
Examples include:
• 100m × 100m
• 200m × 50m
• 70m × 143m
Irregular field shapes
Two farmers may both have 1 hectare, but the quantities of irrigation materials required can differ significantly because of field layout.
For example:
1. One farmer may require a 100m mainline
2. Another may require a 200m mainline
This directly affects the total system cost. Farmers should therefore provide accurate field dimensions when requesting quotations.
_____________________________________________
3. Drip Material Quality and Cost
In Zimbabwe, the most commonly used drip tapes include:
1). 0.2mm / 200 micron
2). 0.3mm
3). 0.4mm
Although the prices per roll may appear close, the roll lengths differ:
▪︎ 0.2mm → 2000m per roll
▪︎ 0.3mm → 1500m per roll
▪︎ 0.4mm → 1000m per roll
For example, a field requiring 10,000m of drip tape would need:
• 5 rolls of 0.2mm
• 7 rolls of 0.3mm
• 10 rolls of 0.4mm
This clearly shows why the same hectare can have different quotation costs depending on the quality and thickness of the drip tape chosen.
_____________________________________________
4. Type of Drip Setup
There are different installation methods, such as:
1. Surface-running mainlines
2. Buried mainlines
A buried mainline system usually requires more fittings and accessories compared to a surface system. Even when all other factors remain the same, this still affects the final installation cost.
_____________________________________________
5. System Design and Layout
This is one of the most critical and technical factors in irrigation design.
For example:
1. Farmer A has a 450,000L storage tank
2. Farmer B has a 5,000L storage tank
Both may want to irrigate 1 hectare, but their systems cannot be designed the same way.
The farmer with the larger tank may irrigate the entire hectare at once, while the farmer with the smaller tank may need to irrigate in smaller blocks or sections. Dividing the field into sections requires additional valves, connectors, and control components, increasing the overall cost.
Field slope and water pressure also affect design. One farmer may manage 100m drip lines comfortably, while another may only manage 50m lines due to terrain or limited pressure.
_____________________________________________
Other Important Factors That Affect Cost
●Additional variables include:
• Distance between the water source and the field
• Size of the mainline pipe used
• Water quality and filtration requirements
All these factors contribute to variations in pricing.
_____________________________________________
What Should Farmers Do?
To avoid unnecessary challenges and inaccurate budgeting, farmers are encouraged to engage trained irrigation professionals who can assess site conditions and provide properly designed systems.
At WaterFirst Agri-Solutions, we provide tailored irrigation solutions that match your farm’s specific requirements and budget.
Presentation by:
Eng. Tafumanei Zvenyika
📞 For consultations & irrigation designs:
+263 78 764 8966
NB: I don't own the rights to the music playing in the background
Call now to connect with business.
