[[Image:drum systems icon.png|right]]
[[Image:IDE drum.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Layout of IDE drum system. Drawing: [http://www.samsamwater.com/library.php?serie=RELMA%20Technical%20Handbook%20Series RELMA.]]]
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International Development Enterprises of Colorado, USA, designed and tested a drum kit system which can irrigate 520 vegetable plants. The drum kit consists of 130 pipes (1-mm diameter) called micro-tubes, fitted to 5 rows of 12-mm diameter PE laterals. Water from the drum flows out in a small stream from all 130 micro-tubes. The water then spreads out in a circular pattern to about 0.5-m radius. Four plants are planted in each of the circles.
International Development Enterprises '''Uses of Colorado, USA, designed and tested a drum kit system which '''<br> A drum system covering 5 beds each 1 m wide and 15 m long can irrigate 520 vegetable be used to grow 250 plants (tomato, egg plant and similar plants. The drum kit consists requiring a spacing of 130 pipes 60 cm along the plant rows); 500 plants (1-mm diameter) called micro-tubesspinach, cabbage, kale, fitted to 5 rows pepper and similar plants requiring a spacing of 12-mm diameter PE laterals. Water from 30 cm along the drum flows out in plant rows); or 1,500 plants (onion, carrot and similar plants requiring a small stream from all 130 micro-tubesspacing of 10 cm). The drum system also offers water then spreads out in storage and control through a circular pattern control valve, making it possible to about 0fill the drum for irrigating at another time.5 Six examples are presented: the KARI drum system from Kenya, the Waggon Wheel system from South Africa, the Family, Plastro and Micro-m radius. Four plants are planted Tal systems from Israel, and the IDE drum used in each of the circlesIndia.
==Suitable conditions==
==Construction, operations and maintenance==
The standard drum kit system comprises a drum, control valve, a manifold and drip lines. The drum should be filled with the valve in the closed position. To irrigate it is important to open the valve fully. This allows the water to be distributed quickly through the drip lines and allows for good water distribution.
'''System components'''<br>
# Connect laterals to a 200-litre drum of water by a 16 mm-diameter pipe (submain).
# Unroll all the pipes, lay them on the ground and connect to the drum. A manual is provided with the kit as a pictorial guide to correct installation and planting.
==Reference manuals, videos, and links==
* [http://uk.ideorg.org/OurTechnologies/DripIrrigation.aspx International Development Enterprises.] Drip irrigation provides farmers the most efficient way to grow crops in water scarce areas, but historically has been too expensive for small-plot farmers. After first approaching manufacturers of commercial drip irrigation systems, IDE developed its own design for small farmers.
==Acknowledgements==
* Sijali, Isaya V. [http://www.samsamwater.com/library.php?serie=RELMA%20Technical%20Handbook%20Series DRIP IRRIGATION: Options for smallholder farmers in eastern and southern Africa.] RELMA, 2001.