Prepared by the Farming Homestead Online editorial team. Sources and wording last checked on 19 August 2026. Use the guide for planning, then confirm current facts for your exact site.
Short answer: Do not buy a pump first and do not treat drilling depth as proof of useful water. Start with the amount of water the farm needs, then confirm siting, drilling scope, borehole yield, water quality, storage and the irrigation layout as one system.
The three questions to answer first
- How many litres or cubic metres will the farm need on a difficult dry-season day?
- Can the proposed source supply that amount at a safe pumping rate?
- Can you store and deliver the water when crops, animals and the household need it?
1. Write down the real water demand
List every user of the water: the household, workers, animals, cleaning, crop irrigation, nursery, construction and fire reserve. Record the planned number of animals and the actual crop area. A one-hectare property does not automatically need irrigation across the full hectare.
2. Confirm the current approval process
Before drilling, ask the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, the relevant catchment office, the local authority and your driller which current permissions, notifications and records apply to the site and intended use. Requirements can change. Get the answer in writing where possible and keep copies.
3. Use competent borehole siting
Good siting reduces risk but cannot guarantee water. Ask who will do the investigation, which method will be used, what the report includes and whether the person is independent from the drilling sale. Keep the proposed coordinates and siting report.
4. Compare written drilling quotations line by line
A low price per metre may leave out important items. Ask each company to state what is included: mobilisation, drilling diameter, casing, screens, gravel pack, development, test pumping, water sample, headworks, transport, tax, extra depth and the treatment of a dry hole.
5. Record the construction details
Keep a borehole log showing the depth, geological layers, casing and screen positions, diameter, water strikes and final construction. Future pump installers and repair teams need these facts. A verbal description is not enough.
6. Complete a proper yield or capacity test
The water level when nobody is pumping is not the same as the amount the borehole can supply continuously. A capacity test should show the pumping rate, drawdown and recovery. Use those results, not guesswork, when sizing the pump and setting a daily pumping plan.
7. Test water quality for the intended use
Water that looks clear may still be unsuitable for drinking, irrigation equipment, sensitive crops or livestock. Tell the laboratory how the water will be used. Ask a qualified person to explain the results and any treatment, corrosion, salinity or food-safety concern.
8. Size the pump from evidence
Pump selection depends on borehole yield, pumping water level, total lift, pipe losses, tank height, required flow and power supply. An oversized pump can damage the borehole or waste power. An undersized pump may never fill the tank during the available solar or electricity hours.
9. Add storage before promising production
A tank separates pumping time from irrigation time. It also gives the household and animals some protection during power faults or repairs. Size storage from the operating plan, not from a round number copied from another farm.
10. Design irrigation and maintenance together
Choose the irrigated area, crop spacing, block size, pressure, filtration and flushing points before buying pipe. Plan drainage, spare parts, security, pump protection, water-level checks and a maintenance record.
Solar, grid power or diesel?
| Power option | Where it can fit | Main advantage | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar direct pumping | Daytime pumping into storage | No daily fuel purchase | Output changes with sunlight; theft protection and correct sizing matter |
| Grid electricity | Sites with a dependable connection | Can pump outside sunlight hours | Outages, connection cost and voltage quality can affect operation |
| Diesel or petrol | Backup or mobile pumping | Flexible when fuel and maintenance are available | Fuel cost, storage, noise and engine maintenance |
| Hybrid system | Higher-reliability projects | More than one way to keep water moving | Higher capital cost and more equipment to maintain |
Questions people ask
How deep should a farm borehole be?
There is no standard depth that works everywhere. Local geology and the specific site determine likely depth. Depth alone also does not tell you the sustainable yield.
Should I drill before choosing crops?
You should know the broad intended use before drilling because demand affects testing and system design. Final crop area should wait until yield and water quality are known.
Can a solar pump irrigate one hectare?
Sometimes, but not automatically. The answer depends on crop demand, season, borehole yield, total head, solar resource, storage and how the hectare is divided into irrigation blocks.
Sources and local checks
This guide was reviewed on 19 August 2026. It draws on current resilience and irrigation lessons from FAO’s Zimbabwe irrigation assessment, the World Bank Zimbabwe Economic Update and the Government of Zimbabwe’s irrigation investment plan. Confirm permits, water tests and technical design with the responsible authorities and qualified professionals for your site.
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