Krishak Bandhu Pump in the Rainfed Farming System of Rural India

The Krishak Bandhu (KB) pump is basically a foot operated medium-lift double-stroke vertical reciprocating positive displacement treadle pump. Depending upon the usage of the farmer and the local geo-hydrological condition of installing an irrigation pump, various types of KB pumps have been developed. Compared to the generally available water lifting devices, this pump is easier to operate as this pump IS designed ergonomically where the full body-weight of the operator is involved to operate the pump. The pump needs the least maintenance and any user with a little technical know-how can easily repair and maintain the pump. Further, different components of the pump which is being supplied by different government and non-government organizations is made available in the local market easily and economically. Since the average lift of the KB pump is about 5.0 m, the farmers can use this pump to provide supplemental irrigation from the available surface water and groundwater sources to different small-scale seasonal crops such as vegetables and cash crops, especially, in the coastal and tarai region of rural India.