A bucket drip irrigation system is a simple and affordable way to water plants efficiently. It consists of two drip lines, each 15 to 30 meters long, connected to a 20-liter bucket that holds the water. Filters are placed along the drip lines to prevent clogging. The bucket is raised on a stand, with the bottom positioned at least one meter above the plants. This height allows gravity to push water gently through the drip lines. Each bucket system can water about 100 to 200 plants, depending on spacing, and uses two to four buckets of water per day. For crops like onions or carrots, more plants can be irrigated since they can be closely planted together.
In areas where bamboo is readily available, bamboo tubes can replace the usual PVC pipes in this system as a natural and cost-effective option. The bamboo is laid alongside plants, with small holes near each plant to release water directly to the roots.
A bucket system is low-cost, and many farmers can recover this investment after just one crop season. This system is ideal for small-scale farmers who want to conserve water and increase yields without high upfront costs.