Rain hose Irrigation

Optimally irrigate your crops with rain pipes

Rain hose irrigation in Kenya is a new method overhead irrigation system that uses laser punched holes to spray water on plants. Rain hose irrigation is an advanced sprinkler system that uses nano technology to deliver water straight to the plant moderately under intense pressure. The system consists of long pipes of various sizes (32mm, 40mm and 50mm) with a series of holes spaced at intervals which sprays water by gravity or a water pump. It is considered one of the most advanced irrigation innovations of the 21^st century because farmers who use rain hose pipes for irrigation have increased their yields by 20-30%.

Grekkon Limited is the pioneer of rain hose irrigation pipes and is currently the leading supplier and installer of rain hose pipes in Kenya and the entire East Africa. We are one of the largest rain hose manufacturers and importers in Kenya. We have various rain hose kits, including rain hose for 1 acre.

Advantages of Grekkon rain hose pipes

• They are easy to install and maintain, economical than sprinklers
• The spray holes are made with laser punched technology to ensure uniform flow of water
• Irrigates both under gravity flow, and high water pump pressure
• Short irrigation periods. Irrigates an area in just 10 minutes
• Highly portable. You only need to have a main line system with valves on every line.
• A variety of diameters to select from.
• It is much cheaper compared to other irrigation methods.

Types of rain hose irrigation pipes

Gravity driven rain hose pipes.

They are rain hose pipes that work on gravity water. For this to work well, the tank stand needs to be raised at least 4m high and the pipe to have a maximum length of not more than 25m. Pipes drawing water from the tank should either be 1¹/₂’’ or 2’’. For best results, use 2’’. The size of the rain hose pipe must not be more than 32mm.

Pump driven rain hose pipes

These are the most common rain hose pipes in Kenya. All the rain hose pipe sizes work well on pumps. Pumping is done directly from a dam reservoir or a river. With pump driven rainhose, their lengths can go a maximum of 50m.

Ideal crops/plants for rain pipes

Rain hose is best for:

• Vegetables main ones being: Cabbages, Sukuma wiki, spinach, onions, garlic
• Potatoes.
• Fruit orchards: Avocado, pixie orange, macadamia, coffee
• Agro forestry
• Lawns, gardens and football pitches
• vegetable nursery irrigation

Components of Rain pipe Irrigation Kit

Rain hose irrigation system is composed of.

1. Rain hose pipe of various sizes and lengths (32mm, 40mm or 50mm)
2. Starter connectors of various sizes
3. Endcaps of various sizes
4. Mid connectors of various sizes

Rain hose installation /How to install rain hose

Connecting rain hose pipes is quite simple. All that is needed is one main pipe and fittings. Materials required for installation are: HDPE pipes or PVC Pipes, Saddle clamps, rain hose off-take (or Ball valves), end caps and connectors and the laser punched pipes

Step 1: Laying of main pipes.

Lay your main line pipe in the farm from your water source (Water pan, tank or river). The ideal main pipes size are  2’’ and 1.5’’.

Step 2: Installation of Saddle Clamps and Starter connectors

Attach saddle clamp on the pipe and a ball valve or a direct start connector with a mini valve. The starter connector with a mini valve has a rubber which reduces your connection cost.

Step 3. Rain hose pipe installation

Install your rain hose on the starter connector or saddle clamp with valves. Note that for optimum results, the length of the pipe should not exceed 25m for gravity and 40-50m for pump driven. The best result for pump driven is achieved when they installed at an average length of 30m

Step 4. Valve opening and testing

Open your valve once installation is complete. Due to anticipated pressure problems from your pump, one valve at a time.

Pump Selection for rain pipe

The best pumps for rain hose pipes are the high volume diesel pumps or petrol pumps. Low volume pumps are ideal for farms with small pipe sizes to create enough pressure.

Number of rain pipes required for your farm

The table below shows the number rain pipes required for different sizes.

Farm Size	32mm	40mm	50mm
1 acre	10 rolls	8 rolls	7 rolls
1/2 acre	5 rolls	4 rolls	4 rolls
1/4 acre	3 rolls	2 rolls	2 rolls
1/8 acre	2 roll	1 roll	1 rolls

Note that this is just a guide line. Actual requirement will be determined with your farm size and technician or engineers’ recommendations.

Rain hose pipe prices in Kenya

The table below shows rain pipe prices in Kenya. Wholesale prices available for bulk purchasing.

Pipe Size	Price per 50m roll	Price per 100m roll
32mm (1”)	KES 2,500	KES 4,500
40mm (11/4”)	KES 3,000	KES 5,500
50mm (11/2”)	KES 3,500	KES 6,500

Rain hose pipe specifications (Technical Data)

Diameter	32MM	40MM	50MM
Width	N50mm	N63mm	N80mm
Spray radius	1.5-2.5m	2-3.5m	3.5-4.5m
Spray width	3.0-5m	4.0-7.0m	7.0-9.0m
Flow rate (Per 10M)	1.3 m³/h	1.6 m³/h	2.2 m³/h
Wall Thickness	0.5mm	0.5mm	0.5mm
Hole spacing	20cm	20cm	20cm
Hole quantity	7	7	7
Working pressure	1.5bar	1.5bar	1.5bar
Spray height	1.5m-2m	1.5m-2m	1.5m-2m
Max Laying Length	≤40m	≤40m	≤40m
Roll length	50m & 100m	50m & 100m	50m & 100m
Quantity Per Acre	10 rolls	8 rolls	7 rolls

Rain hose Frequently asked Questions