Solar irrigation Zimbabwe
Sun-Powered Progress
How the right mix of solar-powered innovations and practical education is helping to feed Gwanda’s farmers and their families.
Active Project
The Challenge
Erratic rainfall and a lack of electricity in Zimbabwe’s Gwanda district leaves farmers struggling to feed themselves and their families.
- Poor investment and no maintenance has left old irrigation schemes useless and unused.
- Limited knowledge in how to store and distribute water hinders crop development.
- Increasing droughts, caused by climate change make it harder to grow enough food, so farmers have nothing left to sell and families are forced to rely on food aid to survive.
“It is tiresome for us women. You will not have time to do other household chores because you will be so tired. We cannot grow crops to eat or to sell because the rains are not reliable.”
Sphiwe Ncube
The Ingenious Solution
Our approach involved harnessing the power of the sun and sharing new skills and expertise to help farmers water their crops, feed their community and increase their income in the future.
- Installing solar water pumps allows farmers to cultivate more land. Producing enough food to eat and surplus to sell on for a profit.
- Learning water conservation techniques helps communities become more resilient to droughts.
- And giving the farmers ownership of the pumps alongside maintenance training will keep them working into the future.
- The solar pumps are connected to solar-powered mini-grids which can also be used to install electricity in hospitals, schools and businesses. Improving services for the whole community.
“I am so happy with the coming of this solar technology!”
Sphiwe Ncube
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