Installing drip irrigation networks in greenhouses in preparation for the transfer of seedlings

Fatim Najm al-Jarjab, 35, and Khalisa Rashid al-Jarjab, 37, have already finished installing the drip irrigation network in the greenhouses after 15 days of work.

Both Fatim and Khalisa are now contemplating the first steps to start the agricultural season with the completion of the installation of greenhouses since the GAV4RG organization launched the Green Fingertips project in mid-September 2021, as part of its efforts to support the agricultural sector and empower women economically.  

The two women reached this phase after joint efforts with a team of agricultural engineers and technicians to prepare the soil for greenhouses, install nylon and external threads and prepare appropriate environmental conditions, in addition to installing the drip irrigation network, which is one of the most important factors for the success of this type of protected agriculture.  

According to Fatim, plants need regular irrigation in order to be able to grow properly, so drip irrigation is the most important method of watering plants in calculated quantities and gradually depending on the drops, which is the final and important part of the drip network, as the water comes out in the form of drops, according to a regular drainage rate, taking into account the large saving of water due to the lack of evaporation process and the method of distributing the irrigation network in the area of spreading seeds or young seedlings, which helps in obtaining good-growing vegetables.

“Drip irrigation limits the growth of weeds and harmful plants, and provides the possibility of grafting plants with fertilizers and spraying pesticides in conjunction with the irrigation process itself,” Fatim, who is a mother of two, said.

The length of the drip irrigation network in each greenhouse is 500 meters, while the area of each house is 470m², with a width of 9 meters and a length of 52.5 meters. The network is distributed on terrace lines taking into account the distribution and spread of young seedlings, in order to ensure the provision of the best suitable conditions for the production of integrated crops.

As for Khalisa, who is also a mother of two, said the greenhouse is ready to receive the young seedlings at the start of the season.

According to Khalisa, the training provided by the team of agricultural engineers and technicians in the field of distinguishing types of fertilizers and pest control, and mastering work skills in the field of protected agriculture will help her raise her ability to deal with this work and improve her economic and living conditions.

The Green Fingertips project comes in the context of GAV4RD endeavor to support the agricultural sector and provide permanent and stable livelihoods for women, in order to enhance their chances of resilience in facing life’s challenges, and increase their chances of playing a leading role in the economic, social and political fields in the future.

The project, which will last for three months, provides investment opportunities for thirty female beneficiaries by providing model greenhouses with all the necessary requirements to produce integrated agricultural crops and market them locally, and to develop their skills in the field of care, irrigation and fertilization according to the latest technologies.

The project will provide the female beneficiaries with training in the field of professional marketing to ensure that they have a fair opportunity to compete in the local labor market, in line with the agricultural and technical support plan that will be presented by the organization’s team during the project period in an attempt to provide them with the necessary capabilities to ensure the long-term continuity of the project.  

This project also comes in response to the large needs in the field of livelihoods and securing stable job opportunities for women, and securing part of the local market needs of winter crops, which contributes to reducing prices that may be reflected on the economic and social situations.