This post has been long overdue, been thinking of helping fellow farmers on this forum by giving advise on the best kinds of irrigation for their farm for FREE. Yes that's right for F.R.E.E, no strings attached. I have been doing that via phone calls or whatsapp but decided to bring it on here.

Irrigation farming is indeed profitable but you need to make sure you put things in place before you start. You need to understand that by doing some feasibility studies to be sure the crops you will irrigate is worth investing in irrigation for, in terms of the value the crops accrue during the dry season.

Next you need to look for an irrigation solution that suits your budget as well as will give you the results you require, buying an irrigation technology for say 100k won't automatically give you additional income, its the results that matter not the amount of money you put into irrigation.

Make sure of the water you will use to water the crop, testing the PH and/or heavy metals content is very important else you might be feeding your crops with poison which ultimately mean you are growing poison to your consumers!

Also make sure you install your Irrigation kits properly using a professional plumber, you can DIY sometimes

Please feel free to drop your irrigation challenges or questions here, let's discuss...#RemainBlessed

Samuel 'TheIrrigationExpert'

What is the advantages of Rain Gun Sprinkler over Drip?

*Rain Gun Irrigation plays the role of Nitrogen fixation. One of the major nutrient plant requires is Nitrogen. Atmospheric air contains 78% of nitrogen. As the Rain Gun resembles Rain, the water dissolves the nitrogen from air and gives it to soil, thereby adding nutritive value to soil. This is one of the reasons for increase in yield.

* Reduces pest and insects attack: Pests and insects get washed away during Rain Gun irrigation.


Other advantages over drip irrigation are:

Less Cost: For one acre of installation of drip cost around NGN240,000+/-, whereas by using Rain Gun System, the cost comes round NGN50,000 only. If a farmer owns 10 acres of farm land if he is interested in drip, he has to install drip for the whole 10 acres at a cost of NGN2,400,000+/- where as if he use Rain gun, with a single Rain Gun of NGN50,000 he can irrigate at least 2 acres of land by shifting the gun properly. Drip irrigation cannot be shifted.

*Clogging problem In drip, the water oozes out through a small hole less than 1 mm, which gets clogged by the calcium carbonate and other chemicals available in water. So, after a period of one year most of the drippers get clogged. In Rain Gun, there is no clogging problem irrespective of the quality of water.

*Less Maintenance.

drip system is a lot better then rain gun. any system that still needs labour input will not help, rain guns require large water source . and the distance covered by the rain gun ( which is it's advantage),is dependent on the pump.

While I appreciate your comment, it does not negate the facts I posted earlier. How many farmers can afford doing drip on 10 acres this season?

Second, contrary to your opinion Sir someone on this forum uses Rain Gun connected to a large water tank.

Are you also telling me you will use less labour to install drip irrigation on say, 1 acre?

As regards the distance of the Rain Gun, I agree with you on the fact that it is pump dependent however, you can move it around the farm until it covers the area you won't it to...you can NOT try that with drip, you know.

If you have used both Rain Gun and Drip Irrigation tell us the pros and cons(based on your experience), we will love to learn.

Paulordiah:
drip system is a lot better then rain gun. any system that still needs labour input will not help, rain guns require large water source . and the distance covered by the rain gun ( which is it's advantage),is dependent on the pump.

I sale and install sprinklers rain guns drip lines, spray tubes. they all have their areas of comparative advantage. any thing worth doing should be done well..there are other sellers here who have given posted information that are not practically true, please call so that I tell you practical experience from rain gun, and give you the conditions under which you find rain .gun effective.

educative. am learning.

Rain Gun Spray Length....Some suppliers and sellers sadly lie about the range the rain gun can deliver, This is because you cannot easily know the spray length of the Rain guns by looking at them but I will show you how to know the length based on the model.

The range of PY 20 Rain Gun Sprinkler is 15 - 20m radius(Maximum)
The range of PY30 Rain Gun Sprinkler is 25 - 30m radius(Maximum)
The range of PY40 Rain Gun Sprinkler is 35 - 40m radius(Maximum)
The Range of PY 50 Rain Gun Sprinkler is 45 - 50m radius(Maximum)

We still have the uncommon models like the 40PY2 with a maximum radius of 50m, this is the one I pre-order from a big manufacturer in China.

Paulordiah:
I sale and install sprinklers rain guns drip lines, spray tubes. they all have their areas of comparative advantage. any thing worth doing should be done well..there are other sellers here who have given posted information that are not practically true, please call so that I tell you practical experience from rain gun, and give you the conditions under which you find rain .gun effective.

Why not share with all? Why call privately?

restored2016:
Why not share with all? Why call privately?

Exactly. We need more insight here. I'm interested in the rain gun.

@kalusam , how much does this sprinkler cost from china including all charges?

What and what do you want to know about the Rain Gun Sprinkler? Please feel free to ask.

caesaraba:


Exactly. We need more insight here. I'm interested in the rain gun.

The 40PY2 Rain Gun Sprinkler costs N55,000(delivered via express shipping) or N50,000 (delivered via normal shipping).

Express Shipping takes 5 - 8 days. Normal takes 15-18 days.

GOM2016:
@kalusam , how much does this sprinkler cost from china including all charges?

As a rule I encourage anyone who wants to buy any irrigation kit to inquire and consult well with the seller/consultant, asking them technical questions even before they buy.

They should ONLY buy after they are satisfied with the answers gotten and are sure its the best solution for them.

DON'T buy any irrigation kit simply because someone says its best you use it, remember its YOU and not the seller/adviser that bears any challenges that may arise thereafter.

Thanks boss for this thread. I have use rain gun nd spray tube. The problem I have with rain gun is, it requires a lot of water nd big pressure engine for it to go far. Again it can cause flooding, then it looks like it hardened the soil cause of d force with which it rains. Again drip water goes in dipper that sprinkler/spray tube.

Kalusam:
What and what do you want to know about the Rain Gun Sprinkler? Please feel free to ask.

Okay thanks, I want to know how the water requirements are. For a particular farm site, I'm thinking of planting vegetables, pepper etc (gardening stuff). I want it irrigated, however, the problem is that there is no water body near-by or any pipe-borne water(water board pipes). Someone (who's not vast in agric) suggested that I install a water tank(4000 litres) and have water delivered by water tanker. I think that the running cost may be too high in the long-run with that option as I'm not really sure how frequently the water will be used up. Land size is about 3 acres or more but I could use less if need be. Please I need your candid advice. Thanks.

Thanks a great deal for this review Sir, you are correct...I recommend Rain Gun on well drained soils and should be used in hot afternoons.

noblefarm:
Thanks boss for this thread. I have use rain gun nd spray tube. The problem I have with rain gun is, it requires a lot of water nd big pressure engine for it to go far. Again it can cause flooding, then it looks like it hardened the soil cause of d force with which it rains. Again drip water goes in dipper that sprinkler/spray tube.

Before I advise I will like to know the following: Where is the land located, which state? Is the land yours or you lease? What is your farm budget and what percentage did you earmark for irrigation? If you are not comfortable with sharing your budget online, you can whatsapp me that(if you are on whatsapp).

caesaraba:


Okay thanks, I want to know how the water requirements are. For a particular farm site, I'm thinking of planting vegetables, pepper etc (gardening stuff). I want it irrigated, however, the problem is that there is no water body near-by or any pipe-borne water(water board pipes). Someone (who's not vast in agric) suggested that I install a water tank(4000 litres) and have water delivered by water tanker. I think that the running cost may be too high in the long-run with that option as I'm not really sure how frequently the water will be used up. Land size is about 3 acres or more but I could use less if need be. Please I need your candid advice. Thanks.

Kalusam:
Before I advise I will like to know the following: Where is the land located, which state? Is the land yours or you lease? What is your farm budget and what percentage did you earmark for irrigation? If you are not comfortable with sharing your budget online, you can whatsapp me that(if you are on whatsapp).

Okay. The land is in Benue. It's on a lease. The budget for this particular farm is around 250k for start in up.

If there are farmers within the same farm area, i suggest you do a collective borehole(if that is possible). If not, discuss with your land lord/owner on the possibility of a borehole. I don't know how much digging a borehole cost in your location, but if you want to grow vegetables water is a must! But first, I advise you run a rain-fed vegie farm for ONLY vegetables that command high amount even in the rainy season first and when you have made something, get a borehole in the dry season so you can do all year round farming. PLEASE if you know nothing about vegetables, meet a practical farmer in benue and learn from them for at least a month. Then apply what you learnt on the few portion of land you can manage and your amount can cater for.Else that 250k can vanish in less than a month and nothing to show for it, no profit, just losses and heart breaks!

caesaraba:


Okay. The land is in Benue. It's on a lease. The budget for this particular farm is around 250k for start in up.

Kalusam:
If there are farmers within the same farm area, i suggest you do a collective borehole(if that is possible). If not, discuss with your land lord/owner on the possibility of a borehole. I don't know how much digging a borehole cost in your location, but if you want to grow vegetables water is a must! But first, I advise you run a rain-fed vegie farm for ONLY vegetables that command high amount even in the rainy season first and when you have made something, get a borehole in the dry season so you can do all year round farming. PLEASE if you know nothing about vegetables, meet a practical farmer in benue and learn from them for at least a month. Then apply what you learnt on the few portion of land you can manage and your amount can cater for.Else that 250k can vanish in less than a month and nothing to show for it, no profit, just losses and heart breaks!

Okay, thank you very much. I appreciate.

Big question is, should I get Rain Gun for my farm? Answer: Yes, if you have a well drained soil or can effectively manage flooding.

(2) if you have a reservoir nearby or a big water source(Dams, Rivers, e.t.c), but not salty or contaminated water o!

(3) Grow crops that support such Irrigation: Plantation crops(Plantain, Pineapple, Oil Palm, Rubber, e.t.c), Indeginous vegies or water loving vegetables like Lettuce

Second question is when at what stage do you need Rain Gun Irrigation? Answer: immediately before planting, crops require moisture and warmth to sprout, that is why crops can grow in sawdust or other media, even just water! Subsequently when crops start emerging they need watering with rain gun(remember not all crops will need heavy impact of rainfall which the rain gun brings)! Rain gun use on sandy soils or loose soil leads to erosion and run-off, depleting soil nutrient(leaching). Heavily manure your soil if your soil is loose and you are using Rain Gun Sprinkler.

NOTE: Using Raingun Sprinkler on crops during flowering can wash away the flowers, even though it will also wash away insects!

How do you prevent flooding and high water impact on Soil? Answer: Place the Rain Gun in perpendicular to the farm beds such that any water is drained immediately. Second, increasing the height of the Rain Gun stand will reduce the impact of the Rain Gun water on the soil.

Nice one. Learning.

Following

Feel free to ask your irrigation questions...I am here to assist for FREE!

@kalusam...pls I'm really interested in the rain gun... I've read up a lil about it. From what I could see here, it appears rain gun causes flooding....

Now my question is, is the flooding associated with run gun bigger than that associated with normal rainfall?

On the other hand, I was thinking one can control the amount of flooding rain gun can cause by not watering a given area of land so deep....

RayRed16:
@kalusam...pls I'm really interested in the rain gun... I've read up a lil about it. From what I could see here, it appears rain gun causes flooding....

Now my question is, is the flooding associated with run gun bigger than that associated with normal rainfall?

On the other hand, I was thinking one can control the amount of flooding rain gun can cause by not watering a given area of land so deep....

I want to state that for every farm setup, the farmer or farm owner should make sure the land is well drained...now to answer your question, flooding due to Rain Gun Sprinkler happens ONLY when the farm was not well planned. A well planned farmland has a space for run-off of excess water, in any case the soil is not properly drained.

Mr kalusam, pls what sort of farm planning do we need to put in place, for those of us considering the rain gum. Especially so we know the cost implication.

yotade:
Mr kalusam, pls what sort of farm planning do we need to put in place, for those of us considering the rain gum. Especially so we know the cost implication.

Beds should be made in such a way that the water flows without disruption, not against or blocking any drainage channel else the area will flood automatically. Also Rain Gun should be placed in right angle to the flow of water(drainage). Thank you!

yotade:
Mr kalusam, pls what sort of farm planning do we need to put in place, for those of us considering the rain gum. Especially so we know the cost implication.

Beds should be made in such a way that the water flows without disruption, not against or blocking any drainage channel else the area will flood automatically. Also Rain Gun should be placed in right angle to the flow of water(drainage). Thank you!

If you are buying Rain Guns from me I will guide you on how best to manage the situation, hit me up on whatsapp (+234 703 693 1636)