Eighteenth century pump and solar power technology provide irrigation solution

Increasing soil moisture levels through irrigation can lead to substantial increases in agricultural productivity, but most smallholder farmers in Africa do not have enough money to buy expensive equipment.

The system, being developed by product design engineering agency the Imagination Factory as part of an InnovateUK-funded competition for the Department for International Development, is designed to pump up to six tonnes of water per day, while requiring very little operation or maintenance.

The device, which under the terms of the competition must have a production cost of no more than £30 per unit, is based on a steam-powered pump, according to Julian Swan, co-founder of the Imagination Factory.

“The pump dates back to the very beginning of steam engines, the Thomas Savery pump, developed at the beginning of the industrial revolution, and patented in 1698,” said Swan. “It has no moving parts other than a ball valve, no pistons, no seals, and is very simple.”