Hydraulic Sizing of a Solar Pumping Station and Irrigation Pipes for the Development of a Site in Northern Niger

Irrigation is considered a means of intensifying agriculture. It helps to increase productivity while securing it against the risks of drought. It is a means of combating poverty and hunger, which are especially endemic in West Africa. The technical study for the development of a site for the creation of an irrigated area is made up of different phases including the plot, the sizing of the irrigation network, the sizing of the pumping station(s), the dimensioning of the drainage network and the circulation and protection networks. The design of the developments takes into account a certain number of essential elements, including the planned crops, the irrigation system, the nature of the soil, the topography of the land, and the availability and quality of water. The objective of this study carried out in the north of Niger (Agadez) is the design of a Californian network where the hydraulic dimensioning of a solar pumping station and irrigation pipes will be carried out. The methodology adopted is first a series of visits for the collection of climatic, agronomic, topographical and technical data, then an exploitation of the data collected and finally, the writing of this article. The study shows that the developed site covers an area of 12 ha, including 48 plots of 0.25 ha. It had a modern layout and a Californian irrigation system. The results of this technical study propose a 270m deep borehole connected to a 54.4 KWC solar pumping system and a 66 KVA emergency generator of the J66 soundproof hooded SDMO brand serving as water supply sources for the developed site. A Grundfos esp 60-17 30 kW pump ensures water extraction. Water is transported to the network via supply pipes with a diameter of 200 mm and distribution pipes whose diameters vary between 160 - 200 mm.