Feature: Tanzanian student invents cost-effective irrigation technology

Tunu Ngajilo is a young Tanzanian student currently pursuing a degree in mechanics engineering at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), located in southwestern part of Tanzania.

Ngajilo came up with a new technology that makes farmers irrigate their farms just using their mobile phones when they are at home.

Before joining the college, the spirited student was able to repair other people's radios and computers. But, this time, he managed to come up with a new and cost-effective irrigation system.

According to Ngajilo, the invented irrigation plant is connected with owner's mobile phone. The phone is also connected with water source-water tank or a pond/river. Through this technology, the mobile phone acts as a switch to for the irrigation plant to release water into the farm/garden.

The plant is powered by solar, for farms are very far from the national grid power.

Ngajilo is optimistic that his new technology can be easily used by ordinary farmers in Tanzania because of its "cost-effective".

"Farmers can only use their mobile phones to irrigate their gardens and farms when using this technology. So there is no need for a farmer to go into the farm physically. Maybe if you want to see the development of your plants. As the plant switch-off automatically (it has a sensor) once the farm had enough amount of water," the young man says.

He adds: "This plant simplify farm work and reduce the time for a farmer."

He also says that the idea of using a mobile phone is to make it cost-effective taking into account large number of people have the ability to own a mobile phone handset.

He, however, said that before installing the system in a farm, research must be done to assess the soil and water requirements.

The technology has been developed as a result of a classroom assignment. Ngajilo and his classmates were told to go outside the college and see what the people's challenges were and then come up with a scientific solution.

"In my case, I decided to go into farms and see how people irrigate their farms. And I discovered that people use more energy and time in irrigating their farms. I also found that people ventures in small plots to minimize costs of irrigation. Some people were using poor irrigation tools, which may end up destroying the environment. So I sat down and think about how to address the challenge and reduce the cost of production hence improve people's well-being," Ngajilo says.

He adds: "The use of this new technology makes farmers use a small amount of water.

Although he hasn't started supplying the new technology to the wider community, the scholar says the irrigation kit costs 255 U.S. dollars. This is the minimum as it depends on the distance from the water source and availability of National grid power.

Eng. Joseph Mkisi, a lecturer from MUST described Ngajilo as one of the best students in the invention.

"His new technology is in line with the institute's mission of solving people's problems. There are many students who have invented different technologies," the don says, noting Ngajilo technology is up-to-date as it's in line with the environment.

"As the college, we'll continue to assist him so that he improves better his technology so that it reach out to a wider society in and perhaps outside the country," he says.

Prof. Osmund Kaunde, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research, and Consultancy, says the college has been developing a number of innovators artistry and "we're planning on coming up with a special depart for craftsmanship. This will be used to document and storing a number of projects developed by artistry students." Enditem