FIELD-FIRST PLANNING TOOL
Size the water first.
Then size the pump.
A practical first estimate for Kenyan small farms using surface water or a shallow source. See the daily water volume, required flow, pump power and rough solar requirement before speaking to a supplier.
Start your estimate ↓Water source → pump → crop
QUICK ESTIMATE
Your irrigation snapshot
Use a peak dry-season day. If you are unsure, choose conservative values and confirm them locally.
WHY THESE NUMBERS?
A transparent calculation, not a black box.
- Water volumeArea × crop water depth ÷ irrigation efficiency.
- Flow targetDaily litres ÷ useful pumping hours.
- PowerWater flow × total head, adjusted for estimated pump-system losses.
- Solar allowanceEstimated electrical input ÷ 75% solar derating, with a practical minimum.
BEFORE YOU BUY
Take these four numbers to a qualified supplier.
Ask for a pump curve at your total head, not only the maximum flow printed on the box. Confirm the source can sustainably deliver the required daily volume.
□ Source yield checked
□ Total head measured
□ Pipe length and diameter known
□ Storage and filtration planned
VERIFIED PROGRAMME
Futurepump is one possible supplier to compare.
Futurepump officially lists an affiliate programme paying 5% of net revenue on eligible new-customer purchases above US$100 after approval. This MVP is not yet an affiliate and uses no tracking link.
FIELD GUIDES