Irrigation Systems for Mango: Design, Scheduling, and Best Practices

This document provides a comprehensive guide to designing and managing irrigation systems for commercial mango farms in Malawi. It covers water resource options (boreholes, rivers, reservoirs), system types (gravity-fed, direct pumping, drip, hose & basin), and detailed design steps including crop water requirements, hydraulics, filtration, and fertigation. Practical guidance is given on irrigation scheduling, dripper placement, water dosing, and frequency to optimize tree growth and yields. The manual also highlights maintenance routines, seasonal irrigation phases, and common design errors, supported by real farm examples. Overall, it emphasizes balancing water resource capacity with crop demand to ensure efficient, sustainable, and productive orchard irrigation.