News about solar irrigation

Ghana has been a leader in adopting solar energy initiatives to meet the needs of its rural population. Of particular interest is the country’s approach to rural electrification through its solar mini-grids strategy, where Ghana expects renewable solar energy to help solve its power shortages while also stimulating economic growth
Image by Aimable Twahirwa
Estimates compiled from administrative data by Rwanda’s agriculture and resources board show that 87 farming cooperatives, especially from drought-prone zones in eastern Rwanda, are using solar-powered irrigation to increase crop yields by delivering precise amounts of water, thus conserving water resources.
There is a rapidly growing trend towards adopting solar-powered irrigation systems as a critical adaptive strategy by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. The El Niño phenomenon has intensified food and water insecurity across southern Africa, including Zambia, resulting in an increase in the adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps.