Title: Detailed Engineering Report for the Feasibility of Irrigation Scheme Developments in

Gwanda District under AAHFIS Project.

Project Background
The "Action Against Hunger and Food Insecurity" project, spearheaded by Dabane Trust in partnership
with Help, aims to bolster food and nutrition security and enhance the resilience of households in Gwanda
District to drought and climate variability. This initiative focuses on the establishment of two new micro-
irrigation schemes and the rehabilitation of three existing ones across ten wards, directly targeting the
unique challenges posed by the arid and semi-arid climatic conditions of the region. Due to the geological
makeup of Gwanda, characterized predominantly by granite that limits the formation of substantial
groundwater aquifers, traditional groundwater extraction methods are inadequate. Instead, this project
harnesses the more reliable sand river aquifers, which provide high-quality water through natural
filtration and are more dependable during prolonged dry spells. This intervention will serve 300 farmers,
equipping them with a minimum of 300m² of irrigable land each, sufficient for sustaining household-level
agricultural activities. The selected crops, including chomolia, rape, tomatoes, and spinach, are chosen for
their nutritional value and market demand, promising to improve both food security and economic
stability for the community. The project will incorporate solar-powered irrigation technologies,
capitalizing on Gwanda's abundant sunshine, and will establish robust management structures to ensure
sustainable operation and equitable water distribution among the beneficiaries. This strategic approach
not only addresses immediate food security concerns but also fosters long-term resilience against climatic
adversities, setting a precedent for sustainable agricultural practices in semi-arid regions.

Report Objectives
This report discusses the findings of the field investigations carried out by the Dabane team which
culminated in the selection of 4 sites (1 new garden sites and 3 rehabilitation garden sites). The objectives
of the field work were to evaluate the preliminary list of sites for their feasibility as potential irrigation
scheme development sites and to consult with community members as to the potential for garden
expansion, water source reliability among others. A criteria for garden site selection is discussed, and the
decisions justified, then water source characterization for each selected site is done followed by the
detailed design report for the selected garden sites.
Materials and Methods
Design Methodology
The sequence of steps applied in the development of the designs is as follows

NOTICE TO
PROCEED

Field Investigation & Data Collection

 Topographic Survey
 Confirmation of Proposed Source Facilities

Preparations of Proposed System Configuration/Size and Capacity of

Major Facilities
Hydraulic
Network
 Source Facilities
Analysis
 Transmission and Facilities
 Storage Tanks
 Stand pipes

Preparation of Detailed Layout Plan and Profile of Required Facilities

and other related Apputenances

Preparation of Design and Analysis for Specific Facilities

Structural Design & Calculation

Mechanical Design & Calculation

Electrical Design & Calculation

Preparation of Cost Estimate Preparation of Implementation Schedule

Bill of Quantities Procurement Schedule

Unit Cost Analysis Construction Schedule

Final Project Design and Submit

Design Report

Design Plans and Specifications

Program of Work/Cost Estimates

Hydraulic Analysis

Structural/Electromechanical Design and Calculations

Implementation Scheddule
Data Collection.

Item No. Data Type Source

Climate Data ClimeWat 2.0 for CropWat, Met Dept( West
Nicholson Weather Station)
Cropping Pattern Community, Agritex
Soil Data Zimbabwe Soil Map, Visual Observation, Agritex
Elevations Levelling
Water Potential-Sand River Physical Probing
Water Potential -Boreholes Yield Tests
Water Potential-Surface Dams Zinwa, Gwanda RDC,GIS

Design Criteria
Water Demand Assumptions
[Link] River Water source yield 2.5 Liters per second or 9 cubic meters per hour
[Link] yield of 2 liters per second or 7.2 cubic meters per second
[Link] Water Demand
Cropping Pattern for 1 hectare irrigation schemes
Area
Planted
Crops Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec (%)
1. Carrots 20
2. Beetroot 10
3. cabbage 20
4. maize 50
5. Choumollier 20
6. Covo 20
7. Green beans 20
8. Onion 20
9. Peas 10
10. Pumpkins 20
11. Soy beans 20
12. Spinnach 10
13. Tomatoes 10

Daily Irrigation Water requirements of 30 cubic meters per day with one by 10 cubic metre water storage
tank provided for cloudy days.
[Link] hours of 10 hours (i.e 7am to 5pm)
5. System to handle peak hour demand shall satisfy the following requirements

 Minimum pressure at the remotest end of the system =3m

 Maximum velocity of flow in pipes
 o Supply line =2m/s
o distribution line = 1.5m/s
 Minimum velocity of flow in pipes =0.4m/s
 Demand factor: varies from 0.3(minimum demand) to 3( peak demand)
 Allowable head loss: minimum = 0.5m/1000m, maximum =10m/1000m
 Allowable pressure: minimum =3m, maximum=70m
 Storage tank volume = 25% or Average Daily Demand
 Pump Total Dynamic Head =Depth of Pumping water level+Max Sorage Tank High water
level+friction losses
 Pump Capacity=Max Daily Demand/Operating hours.
 Pipe Materials, HDPE for supply lines, mPvC for distribution lines, all Class 10.

Garden Sites Feasibility Assessments: Findings

Topographic Surveys and Tentative Layout Per Site
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA USED

Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability Sand river/No sand river

High Yielding Borehole/not high yielding
Surface Dam
Piped Water Scheme
2 Community Willingness Willing
Not willing
3 Availability of space for garden Available
expansion Not Available
4 Distance from sand river/water More than 50m away from River/water Source
Source - EIA Within 50m from river/water Source
5 Accessibility(proximity to Below 3km
homesteads) Above 3km
6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.
Community not willing to provide security

7 Conflict of water use among No potential for conflict

multiusers Potential for conflict
8 Soil Quality Good
Poor
9 Topography Uniform
Steep

Sites Assessed
Figure 1: Gwanda District Map showing Wards with Sites Assessed in Green Color

Item Site Name Ward Type Selected (Yes/No)

1 SiLikwe 1 Rehabilitation Yes

2 Hulube 1 Rehabilitation No

3 Elitsheni 2 7 Rehabilitation Yes

4 Tadla 7 New Scheme Yes

5 Sewudo 4 New Scheme No

6 Manongo 4 Rehabilitation Yes

7 Nkumbu 13 New Scheme No

 Item Site Name Ward Type Selected (Yes/No)

8 Sabhakatsha 13 New Scheme No

9 Nathi 13 New Scheme Not Yet Assessed

Site Characteristics:Ward 1: Silikwe Site

Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability Surface Dam

Piped Water Scheme

2 Community Willingness Willing,

3 Availability of space for garden expansion Available

to 1ha

Existing infrastructure 1.5m high fence(barbed wire plus wooden posts), 200m poly pipe
delivery line, 13 solar panels, toilet
 Item Criteria Description

4 Distance from sand river/water Source - More than 50m away from River/water Source
EIA

5 Accessibility(proximity to homesteads) Below 3km

6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.- currently secures solar
panels

7 Conflict of water use among multiusers No potential for conflict- multiple water points nearby

8 Soil Quality Good- garden has been functional for almost more than 10 years with
good yields

9 Topography Uniform <3% slope

Site Characteristics:Ward 1: HULUBE Site

 Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability Surface Dam- BUT DRIES UP BEFORE YEAE END, IS

HEAVILY SILTED

Existing infrastructure 1.8m fence

2 Community Willingness Willing,

3 Availability of space for garden Available

expansion to 1ha
4 Distance from sand river/water More than 50m away from River/water Source
Source - EIA

5 Accessibility(proximity to Below 3km

homesteads)
6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.- currently
secures solar panels

7 Conflict of water use among There is potential for conflict- multiple water use for the
multiusers surface dam( fishing, livestock water,

8 Soil Quality Good- garden has been functional for almost more than
10 years with good yields
9 Topography Uniform <5% slope

Site Characteristics:Ward 7: Elitsheni 2 Site

Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability Sand river with sand dam. River name is Mawanke, 3
rowa pumps, serves community all year round
Existing Infrastructure 1.8m high field fence (200m perimeter), toilet, one
waterpoint, 50m delivery poly pipe
2 Community Willingness Willing,

3 Availability of space for garden Available

expansion to 1ha
4 Distance from sand river/water More than 50m away from River/water Source
Source - EIA

5 Accessibility(proximity to Below 3km

homesteads)
6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.- currently
secures solar panels
7 Conflict of water use among There is potential for conflict- multiple water use for the
multiusers surface dam( fishing, livestock water,
8 Soil Quality Good- garden has been functional for almost more than
10 years with good yields
9 Topography Uniform <5% slope
Site Characteristics: Ward 7: TADLA Site

Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability Sand river with sand dam. River name is Dwayi, near
Mapane Pry, No rowa pump, but has a sand abstraction
system supplying Mapane Primary school( the school
reports that the water is not palatable due to underlying
overlain debris), Dabane is currently carrying out water
level measurements under the Nexus Gains Project using
8 piezometers. Pipeline taking water from sand dam to
the garden site.
Existing Infrastructure No infrastructure

2 Community Willingness Willing

3 Availability of space for garden Available space
expansion to 1ha
4 Distance from sand river/water More than 50m away from River/water Source
Source - EIA
5 Accessibility(proximity to Below 3km
homesteads)
6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.- currently
secures solar panels
7 Conflict of water use among There is no potential for conflict
multiusers
8 Soil Quality Good- garden site is a green field
 9 Topography Uneven slope

Site Characteristics: Ward 13: Nkumbu and sabhakatsha Site

Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability Sand river with sand dam. River name is Nkumbu River

Existing Infrastructure No infrastructure

2 Community Willingness Willing

3 Availability of space for garden Space Not Available

expansion to 1ha
4 Distance from sand river/water More than 50m away from River/water Source
Source - EIA
5 Accessibility(proximity to Below 3km
homesteads)
6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.- currently
secures solar panels
7 Conflict of water use among There is no potential for conflict
multiusers
8 Soil Quality Good- garden site is a green field

9 Topography Uneven slope

Site Characteristics: Ward 4:Manonkwe site

 Item Criteria Description

1 Water Availability High yielding Borehole

Existing Infrastructure Defunct borehole, storeroom

2 Community Willingness Willing

3 Availability of space for garden Space Available

expansion to 1ha
4 Distance from sand river/water More than 50m away from River/water Source
Source - EIA
5 Accessibility(proximity to Below 3km
homesteads)
6 Security of Assets Community willing to secure and have a plan.- currently
secures solar panels
7 Conflict of water use among There is no potential for conflict
multiusers

8 Soil Quality Good

9 Topography Uneven slope

Water Source Characterization

Demand Calculations
Climate data Was obtained from FAO ClimeWat 2.0
Rainfall Pattern.

Discussion:

Evapotranspiration Data
Discussion:

Soil Data

Discussion:
Irrigation water requirements were determined using FAO CropWat 8 software, and the following
irrigation scheduling was produced.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Area
Precipitation deficit
1. Carrots 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 90.5 141.8 95.6 0 0 20
2. Beetroot 53.7 83.2 64.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
3. cabbage 0 38.9 101.8 97.8 2.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
4. maize 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 125.9 167.3 137.9 94.7 50
5. Choumollier 0 0 0 0 0 59.7 83.6 78.8 0 0 0 0 20
6. Covo 0 0 0 0 72.7 74.9 74.7 0 0 0 0 0 20
7. Green beans 0 12.4 93.7 97.1 2.7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
8. Onion 0 45 109.1 97 87.7 47 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
9. Peas 0 0 0 0 0 32.9 81.8 123.2 102.4 0 0 0 10
10. Pumpkins 65.8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 94.7 113.4 105.6 20
11. Soy beans 0 0 0 0 40.1 72.9 77.2 0 0 0 0 0 20
12. Spinnach 0 0 0 0 0 58.8 80.6 78 0 0 0 0 10
13. Tomatoes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 151.9 144 96.1 10

Net scheme [Link].

in mm/day 0.6 1 2.2 1.9 1.3 2 2 1.7 3.4 4.4 3.5 2.5
in mm/month 18.8 27.6 67.4 58.4 41.2 60.1 63.3 54 101.5 136.9 106 78.1 813.3
in l/s/h 0.07 0.11 0.25 0.23 0.15 0.23 0.24 0.2 0.39 0.51 0.41 0.29

Irrigated area 80 70 70 60 100 100 80 60 80 100 80 80

(% of total area)

[Link]. for actual area 0.09 0.16 0.36 0.38 0.15 0.23 0.3 0.34 0.49 0.51 0.51 0.36
(l/s/h)
DESIGN REPORT: Silikwe Garden

STEP DETAIL OUTPUT REFERENCE

1 Demand Calculation (using CropWat 8)
Design irrigation requirement (mm per year) 813.3
Selected irrigation Requirement (mm per year) 1000

area of each Irrigation scheme (Ha) 1

Daily Irrigation Requirement for EACH 1HA
Irrigation (m³) 27.4
Irrigation Cycle (days) 4
Proposed number of cropping blocks 4
area of cropping block (Ha) 0.25
Daily irrigation requirement per block (m³) 6.85
Provided daily water storage (m³) 10

2 Design Discharge
The pump should be able to deliver 30 cubic meters
to the scheme per day in order to satisfy the
irrigation water requirements

Preliminary Sizing
Hydraulic Design
Modelling in Epanet
Final Drawings
Preparation of BOQs
Preparation of Implementation Schedule