The main objective of CWMP is to develop appropriate soil and water management technologies for supporting the increased tea production and productivity (soil conservation, irrigation efficiency and economics of water use).
Major activities being implemented by the CWMP include; (1) testing the effectiveness of planting densities as means of soil erosion control, (2) evaluation of the effectiveness of fertigation of tea using drip irrigation (on-farm), (3) comparison of drip with overhead sprinkler irrigation, (4) investigation of the potentials of the small scale irrigation technologies on tea, and (5) development of mechanisms for disseminating the small scale irrigation technologies.
Significant results from these activities include determination of optimum fertiliser application rates under drip irrigation systems whereby 120 – 240kgNha-1 is recommended. The other significant finding include that drip irrigation systems gave relatively better yields and saves water by up to 50% less compared with overhead sprinkler irrigation systems.
The introduction of mini drip irrigation kits for the smallholders is one of the very significant achievements of this programme. These mini-systems once adopted will potentially increase productivity of the smallholder’s farms while helping to spread (even-out) yield of tea across all growing seasons of the year leading to improved capacity utilisation of the existing and future tea factories.