Buried Diffuser (Environment, Energy and Water)
By Wassim Chahbani (Tunisia)
Wassim Chahbani is a social entrepreneur and co-owner of
Chahtech, a water management company in Tunisia. Wassim
holds a diploma in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from the
Université Libre de Tunis (ULT) and has a strong background
in Digital Marketing and Business Management.
Irrigated systems play a major role in sustaining livelihoods
in Africa and the world over. Water in agricultural use is
critical for crop production, but reducing its consumption is
critical. Wassim’s innovation is a patented innovative
irrigation system called “Buried Diffuser” that allows “more
crop for less drop” through underground irrigation that
delivers water and nutrients to plants at root level. Besides
saving water, the diffuser produces healthier plants,
resulting in better crop quality; it also eliminates herbicide
use, reduces soil salinization, and improves soil aeration and
energy savings.
The system comprises diffusing parts that facilitate water
infiltration of the soil. A connection to a water distribution
pipe helps regulate water flow to plants. This innovation
performs markedly better than other current irrigation
methods being used today in Africa, reducing production
costs for farmers.