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Résumé :
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The food crisis in Africa and elsewhere in the Third World highlights the need for new technologies which local communities can use to increase their agricultural production.An important means of achieving greater food production is by irrigation.Many arid areas are characterized by having large rivers or canals flowing throuhh them.The volume of water is more than that neede to irrigate plots along or near to the banks;but traditional methods of water lifting are often inefficient,and modern methods are often too expensive.This handbook describes the development of a new,simple and relatively enexpensive technology which,if used in the right circumstances,will lift water from the rivers on to the land.The water current turbine- you can think of it as a windmill inserted into the river current- has been tried and tested for three dry seasons at Juba on the White Nile,where it has been used profitably to irrigate small vegetable gardens.We believe that our experience in the Sudan could provide the basis for extended trials of the turbine in other areas where similar conditions apply.We know that the turbine works;but before it is made freely available it is necessary to establish the social and economic circumstances within which it can be used by local people for their own benefit.After explaining the technical details,this handbook outlines the main socio-economic factors which must be taken into consideration before embarking upon a local project.The purpose of the handbook is to inform development agencies and others of the availability of the technology,circumstances.Mannufacturing drawings of two alternate designs are available from ITDG,and the authors,Peter Garman,would be pleased to advise interested parties who wish to make and test the technology for themselves.Enquiries should be addressed to the author c/o The Information Office,ITDG, Myson House,Railway Terrace,Rugby,CV21 3HT ,UK.
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