Both Tipa and the African Garden Market make use of the Family Drip Irrigation ms (FDIS) developed by the International Program for Arid Land Crops IPALAC) at Ben Gurion University of the Negev together with Netafim, one of two -renowned Israeli irrigation companies who have already introduced FDIS in other regions in Africa, the Far East and Central Asia.

In FIDS Israeli-developed irrigation technology has been combined with y-powered low water pressure, which allows traditional farmers to enjoy advantages of drip-irrigation at low costs Without the need to introduce further technology, each FDIS project has the capacity to cover an area 500 sq m.

As a result of the WSSD presentation, Ikamva Labantu and the Embassy of Israel today, with the support of the JD Group, established a Tipa demonstration project in Cradock in the Eastern Cape. In this venture three local people were Led by the community to be trained to support the co-operative of 120 local farmers with the assistance of Israeli Technical Advisors and lkamva Labantu.

Following the achievements of Tipa in Cradock, the JD Group has asked the Embassy of Israel and lkamva Labantu to assist in establishing and co-ordinating additional projects throughout South Africa which will include the services of an Technical Advisor.

General Tipa Requirements

In order to establish a project of 100 farmers, each with their own unit, Tipa requires:

An area of 5 hectares divided into 500 square metre plots so that there are square metres per farmed units .

A sustainable water resource for the daily supply of up to 300 metres of water to the project with pressure not lower than 3,5 metres or 0,35 Atmospheres

Basic water infrastructure for distribution of the water to the plots so that each will have access to a water tap.

A fence or other means of protecting the area allocated to the project.

Tipa a is set up to be a business-orientated co-operative of farmers who each maintain their independence, while sharing training, the purchase of necessary inputs, security arrangements, and possible marketing. The co-operative can then establish business and marketing initiatives on its own, or participate as a

supplier to existing enterprises.

Tipa Requires from the Community

A contact organisation such as an NGO, or other organisation with community ,acceptance, to co-ordinate and manage the project Establishment of a farmer co-operative.
Nomination of a project manager
Two or three people nominated by the co-operative and able to communicate in English as well as the local language, to the trained as trainers by the Israel technical Advisor
The allocation of budget funds or a financial resource to finance the project business plan which is developed in consultation with the Israeli Technical Advisor and Ikamva Labantu.

An agreement with lkamva Labantu signed by the local contact organisation

An agreement between the co-operative and each individual farmer based on raft to be drawn up by lkamva Labantu

Cost
The Estimated cost for a project of 100 farmers including preparation visits, training, supply and installation of the irrigation units, seeds and fertiliser for the first season only, and professional support for 18 months, is R 600 000. These costs exclude investment in the basic infrastructure such as water sources and water lines