Foot pumps are simple suction pumps operated by foot pedals, used mainly for irrigation purposes in Asia and Africa. They are affordable and can be made of locally available materials. Foot pumps increase agricultural productivity, but are limited to shallow underground reservoirs and may deplete groundwater supplies over time.
The foot pump is a simple suction pump powered by a human operator. These pumps are mainly used to draw water from underground tanks for irrigation purposes, although they can certainly supply water for other uses as well. Pumps of this type are a relatively recent development, but have been used extensively in Asia and Africa, where they provide inexpensive access to irrigation water without the need for electricity or other industrial infrastructure.
A foot pump consists of two foot pedals, averaging five to six feet long and mounted on a central pivot point. An operator operates the two foot pedals attached to this pump using the same muscles he would use for walking and the same pace. The pistons attached to the pedals are compressed by this motion and produce suction, which is used to draw water from a nearby lake or stream or well.
These pumps are very economical and offer access to irrigation water to farmers and communities that otherwise cannot afford it. Almost any component of a foot pump can be constructed of any locally available sturdy material. The pedals and stands can be made of metal, plastic, bamboo, or other wood, and replacement parts can be produced quite cheaply for parts that break down. Only a small number of mechanical parts require more machining and these are simple and inexpensive.
The modest $20 to $80 US dollar (USD) price of a foot pump means that even very poor farmers can often afford one. Buying a pump, in turn, will increase agricultural productivity. These pumps are part of several plans to increase the ability of local farmers in poorer regions to be relatively self-sufficient and to reduce the need to rely on more expensive or energy-intensive technologies.
Farmers using foot pumps are often able to grow additional crops over the course of a year or plant crops with a higher financial or nutritional yield. The low price of such pumps means that a farmer can break even on an investment in a foot pump after only one or two successful irrigation seasons.
A few factors limit the usefulness of foot pumps. Such pumps can only draw water from shallow underground reservoirs and may not be suitable for use in areas where groundwater is deeper. Intensive irrigation can also deplete groundwater supplies over time, which could further limit the future usefulness of these pumps.
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