- Farm-first mindset (avoid expensive mistakes)
- Step 1: Estimate irrigation demand + schedule
- Step 2: Storage-first design (most reliable)
- Step 3: Survey & siting in Eastern Kenya
- Step 4: Drilling and construction basics
- Step 5: Development + test pumping
- Step 6: Water quality (salinity, hardness, iron)
- Step 7: Pump sizing for farms
- Step 8: Solar vs grid vs hybrid for irrigation
- Step 9: Irrigation distribution (pipes, zones, drippers)
- Common farm mistakes
- Mini farm planning tool
- FAQ
1) Farm-first mindset (avoid expensive mistakes)
On a farm, the goal is not “a strong pump.” The goal is enough water delivered efficiently to the crops and livestock, at the right times, without overspending on energy and repairs. The smart plan is to design the system around irrigation demand and then match the borehole and equipment to that target.
2) Step 1: Estimate irrigation demand + schedule
Demand depends on acreage, crop type, season, and irrigation method (drip vs sprinklers vs furrow). Your schedule matters too: do you irrigate daily, every two days, or in blocks? This is what determines your required yield and tank capacity.
- ✓Acreage + crop type
Different crops and growth stages change water needs. - ✓Irrigation method
Drip is usually more efficient than sprinklers for water-limited areas. - ✓Operating window
How many hours per day can you pump (especially if solar)?
3) Step 2: Storage-first design (most reliable)
Storage is your buffer between a variable borehole and a strict irrigation schedule. Pump steadily into tanks during your best pumping hours (often daytime), then irrigate from storage when needed. This reduces borehole stress and makes solar systems far more practical.
- ✓Tank sizing
Size storage to cover peak irrigation blocks and cloudy days. - ✓Gravity vs booster
Some drip systems can run from elevated tanks; others need boosters. - ✓Filtration position
Protect drippers/sprinklers with proper filters and maintenance access.
4) Step 3: Survey & siting in Eastern Kenya
Eastern Kenya can be highly variable: some areas produce excellent yields, others require deeper drilling or careful siting. A hydrogeological survey helps reduce the risk of drilling in a poor zone by using field assessment plus geophysical testing (commonly electrical resistivity/VES) to infer promising aquifer targets.
5) Step 4: Drilling and construction basics
Farm boreholes work hard—so construction quality matters. Proper casing/screen choices reduce sand pumping (which destroys pumps and clogs irrigation). Also plan a secure, clean headworks area and good drainage to reduce contamination.
- ✓Correct screens + gravel pack
Protects pumps and irrigation hardware from sand and fines. - ✓Sealing and hygiene
Helps prevent contamination from surface runoff and animal areas. - ✓Access for maintenance
Leave space for pulling pumps, servicing filters, and inspecting tanks.
6) Step 5: Development + test pumping
Development improves performance by cleaning the borehole and stabilizing inflow. Test pumping confirms actual yield, drawdown, and recovery—the numbers you must know before final pump and irrigation sizing. This is where you learn if your farm plan needs more storage, fewer irrigation zones, or a different pumping schedule.
7) Step 6: Water quality (salinity, hardness, iron)
For farms, quality affects crops, soil, and equipment. Salinity can reduce yields over time and damage sensitive crops; hardness can scale pipes and sprinklers; iron can clog and stain. Testing helps you choose irrigation method, filtration, possible blending, and maintenance routines.
- ✓Salinity risk check
Important in arid/semi-arid areas and where neighbors report “salty” taste. - ✓Filter planning
Drip systems need filtration discipline to protect emitters. - ✓Equipment protection
Quality issues can shorten pump life if ignored.
8) Step 7: Pump sizing for farms
Farms often fail by oversizing pumps. A pump should match sustainable yield, head (depth + elevation + pipe losses), and the intended flow to fill tanks or run irrigation zones. Oversized pumps can overdraw the borehole and cause dry-running; undersized pumps can delay tank refill and disrupt irrigation schedules.
- ✓Size from test data
Use test pumping results to avoid buying twice. - ✓Protect the pump
Dry-run protection + correct controls reduce failures. - ✓Tank-filling logic
Many farms win by pumping steadily into storage rather than chasing peak irrigation flow directly.
9) Step 8: Solar vs grid vs hybrid for irrigation
Solar is usually a great match for farms because irrigation can be scheduled around sunlight. But large farms or strict schedules often benefit from hybrid backup to avoid losing crops during cloudy stretches. The best choice depends on pumping hours, daily litres, and how much storage you can install.
10) Step 9: Irrigation distribution (pipes, zones, drippers)
Distribution is where water becomes yield. Good pipe sizing reduces friction losses; zoning prevents pressure drops; and correct filtration protects your irrigation hardware. For Eastern Kenya, efficiency is everything—wasted water becomes wasted power and reduced crop performance.
- ✓Zone your farm
Run irrigation in blocks so pressure stays stable and demand stays realistic. - ✓Correct pipe sizing
Long runs with small pipes kill pressure and force bigger pumps. - ✓Filtration and flushing
Plan filter cleaning and line flushing—especially for drip systems.
Want a farm borehole plan for Eastern Kenya?
Share your location, acreage, crop type, and preferred irrigation method (drip/sprinkler). We’ll advise survey scope, tank strategy, pump sizing approach, and a practical solar/hybrid layout.
11) Common farm mistakes
Farm projects often overspend on pumps and underspend on planning. These mistakes are avoidable if you follow the survey → test → system design pipeline.
- ✕Buying a pump before test pumping
Leads to resizing after real yield is known. - ✕Solar without storage
Creates irrigation schedule stress and pressure instability. - ✕No filtration plan for drip
Clogged emitters reduce uniformity and crop performance. - ✕Undersized distribution pipes
Forces bigger pumps and higher energy costs. - ✕Ignoring salinity/hardness
Can damage soil, crops, and equipment over time.
12) Mini farm planning tool (quick guidance)
Answer a few items to get the most sensible next move for your farm project.
13) FAQ
Do farms really need a hydrogeological survey?
If you want to reduce failure risk and plan costs properly, yes. Survey/siting helps choose the best point; test pumping confirms sustainable yield for irrigation planning.
Should I choose drip or sprinkler for borehole irrigation?
Drip is often more water-efficient, especially in water-limited areas, but it requires good filtration and maintenance. Sprinklers can work well too—your choice should align with water availability, crop type, and wind conditions.
How do I avoid running the borehole dry?
Match pump flow to sustainable yield, use storage buffers, irrigate in zones, and plan pumping schedules based on test pumping results.
What if the water is slightly salty?
Test first, then decide: some crops tolerate more salinity than others. You may adjust crop choices, irrigation method, blending strategy, or treatment depending on results.