An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara
Large-scale center pivots have been imported into Algeria since the 1980s to promote cereal production in the Sahara, but these pivots did not match either user needs or smallholder farming systems. In response, local artisans designed a smaller, cheaper, more robust center pivot in an incremental o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Agricultural Water Management |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377424005377 |
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| author | Abdelkrim Ould Rebai Tarik Hartani Marcel Kuper Bruno Molle Sami Bouarfa Khalil Laib |
| author_facet | Abdelkrim Ould Rebai Tarik Hartani Marcel Kuper Bruno Molle Sami Bouarfa Khalil Laib |
| author_sort | Abdelkrim Ould Rebai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Large-scale center pivots have been imported into Algeria since the 1980s to promote cereal production in the Sahara, but these pivots did not match either user needs or smallholder farming systems. In response, local artisans designed a smaller, cheaper, more robust center pivot in an incremental open innovation process that lasted 10 years. Currently, around 35 % of the Algerian potato production is irrigated by around 40,000 artisanal center pivots, each irrigating 1 ha. The aim of the study was to design and test an engineering approach to support local innovation actors in improving the performance of the artisanal irrigation pivot. Field observations and interviews were conducted with 24 users and 10 leading artisans to analyze the innovation process and judge which improvements would be acceptable. Experiments were then conducted in situ and in the national irrigation laboratory to analyze irrigation performance and test practical adjustments to improve it. Results showed that the distribution uniformity of pivots, less than 50 %, can be improved by adjusting the position of sprinklers along the pivot laterals and fine-tuning the nozzle aperture. This study opens new perspectives for engineering approaches to support user-led innovation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd5394e3807748298b39d2bb2aafb0ef |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1873-2283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agricultural Water Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd5394e3807748298b39d2bb2aafb0ef2025-08-20T01:55:31ZengElsevierAgricultural Water Management1873-22832024-12-0130610920110.1016/j.agwat.2024.109201An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian SaharaAbdelkrim Ould Rebai0Tarik Hartani1Marcel Kuper2Bruno Molle3Sami Bouarfa4Khalil Laib5Laboratory of Management and Valorisation of Agricultural and Aquatic Ecosystems, University Center of Tipaza, Oued Merzoug, Tipaza 4200, Algeria; Corresponding author.Laboratory of Management and Valorisation of Agricultural and Aquatic Ecosystems, University Center of Tipaza, Oued Merzoug, Tipaza 4200, Algeria; National Agronomy School, El Harrach, AlgeriaUniversity of Montpellier, UMR G-Eau, AgroParisTech, Brgm, Cirad, Inrae, Institut Agro-Montpellier, Ird, Montpellier, FranceUniversity of Montpellier, UMR G-Eau, AgroParisTech, Brgm, Cirad, Inrae, Institut Agro-Montpellier, Ird, Montpellier, FranceUniversity of Montpellier, UMR G-Eau, AgroParisTech, Brgm, Cirad, Inrae, Institut Agro-Montpellier, Ird, Montpellier, FranceLaboratory of Management and Valorisation of Agricultural and Aquatic Ecosystems, University Center of Tipaza, Oued Merzoug, Tipaza 4200, AlgeriaLarge-scale center pivots have been imported into Algeria since the 1980s to promote cereal production in the Sahara, but these pivots did not match either user needs or smallholder farming systems. In response, local artisans designed a smaller, cheaper, more robust center pivot in an incremental open innovation process that lasted 10 years. Currently, around 35 % of the Algerian potato production is irrigated by around 40,000 artisanal center pivots, each irrigating 1 ha. The aim of the study was to design and test an engineering approach to support local innovation actors in improving the performance of the artisanal irrigation pivot. Field observations and interviews were conducted with 24 users and 10 leading artisans to analyze the innovation process and judge which improvements would be acceptable. Experiments were then conducted in situ and in the national irrigation laboratory to analyze irrigation performance and test practical adjustments to improve it. Results showed that the distribution uniformity of pivots, less than 50 %, can be improved by adjusting the position of sprinklers along the pivot laterals and fine-tuning the nozzle aperture. This study opens new perspectives for engineering approaches to support user-led innovation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377424005377IrrigationCenter pivotIrrigation performanceOpen innovationSaharaAlgeria |
| spellingShingle | Abdelkrim Ould Rebai Tarik Hartani Marcel Kuper Bruno Molle Sami Bouarfa Khalil Laib An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara Agricultural Water Management Irrigation Center pivot Irrigation performance Open innovation Sahara Algeria |
| title | An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara |
| title_full | An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara |
| title_fullStr | An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara |
| title_full_unstemmed | An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara |
| title_short | An engineering approach to support user-led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the Algerian Sahara |
| title_sort | engineering approach to support user led innovation in improving the performance of artisanal irrigation pivots in the algerian sahara |
| topic | Irrigation Center pivot Irrigation performance Open innovation Sahara Algeria |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377424005377 |
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