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Contents

Acknowledgements

Are treadle pumps a viable option for Africa?

Treadle pumps – what are they?
What pumps are available in Africa?

Which pump gives the best performance?

How much do they cost?
How many have been sold?
Who manufactures them?
How are they sold to farmers?
What about marketing?
Are there preconditions for uptake?
What area can be irrigated?
What are the impacts on farming practices?
What are the economic benefits?
What are the social and cultural impacts?
Is training necessary?
So are treadle pumps really appropriate for Africa?
Is there a role for Donors and NGOs?

Background

How to treadle pumps work

How they work
Some basic hydraulics
The basic components
Pump design features
Comparing performance

The Zambia experience

Background
Piloting
Available pumps
Manufacture
Operation, maintenance and repair
Distribution networks
Marketing and promotional activities
Uptake of pumps
Costs and prices
Training
Social and cultural impact
Economic impact

The Zimbabwe experience

Introduction
Manufacture
Distribution
Economic and social impact
Operational problems
Criteria for sustainable uptake

The Niger experience

Introduction
Available pumps
Selecting places for intervention
Manufacuture
Marketing
Operation and maintenance
Social and economic impatc

The Kenya experience

Introduction
Available pumps
Manufacture
Distribution
Marketing and promotion
Extension and training
Economic and social impact
Donor role
Lessons learnt

Other country experiences

An alternative view

Pump suppliers

References

The International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) aims to enhance the standard of irrigation and drainage research and development in and by developing countries, giving due regard to the needs of the environment. Its main objectives are to improve technology and management in order to increase the production of food and agricultural commodities, enhance food security and assist in eliminating poverty. The programme focuses attention on four priority themes:

Synthesizing knowledge
Building national capacity
Formulating research and development strategies and programmes
Networking

IPTRID's sponsors are FAO, UNDP, World Bank, the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), international and national research institutes, multi-and bilateral donors, and development foundations.

For further information about the IPTRID Programme please contact the IPTRID Secretariat at the following address:

Arumugam Kandiah
Programme Manager
IPTRID
Room B-712
Land and Water Development Division
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome - Italy
Tel: +39 06 570 54033 Fax: +39 06 570 56275
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.fao.org/iptrid

One of IPTRID's priority activities is synthesising knowledge on topics, which are research and technology oriented and relevant to sustainable irrigation and drainage development. The outputs are published by IPTRID in its series of Knowledge Synthesis Reports. These reports contain the latest research and development information in selected topics and include analyses and recommendations. The target readership includes planners, researchers and irrigation and drainage professionals. They are prepared by specialists in collaboration with IPTRID partner institutions.

Treadle Pumps for Irrigation in Africa is the first in the Knowledge Synthesis Reports series. Topics to be covered in future include:

- Global Review of Research and Development Needs in Irrigation and Drainage
- Water Conservation Technologies in the Mediterranean Basin
- Bio-drainage

Publication details will be announced in IPTRID’s biannual Network Magazine GRID. Requests for GRID magazine and for copies of IPTRID publications should be sent to the IPTRID Programme Manager at the address above.