Solar Irrigation & The Economics of Farming in Sub-Saharan Africa

The insertion of technologies and new business models can make a huge difference in third world countries. For example, A recent Stanford University study shows how solar powered drip irrigation systems in sub-Saharan Africa are changing the economics of agriculture for people in the poverty struck area where people live on less than $1.25 a day.

Historically, woman have had to haul water long distances to grow crops and heavily rely on seasonal rainfall. Due to insufficient access to energy and technology, they haven't been able to advance farming practices like the rest of the world. The combination not only hampers the amount of food they can produce, it absolutely consumes their livelihood and thwarts efforts in other areas of life, such as health, education, and building income. Energy poverty, defined as a "lack of access to clean and efficient energy systems" by the Solar Electricity Light Fund, is one of the primary inhibitors of economic progress.

Now take a look at the results of a Stanford University study and how the application of solar powered drip irrigation systems changes everything. In 2007, the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford partnered with the Solar Electricity Light Fund (SELF) nonprofit to pilot an irrigation project in Benin, Africa. SELF financed the project and provided the installation for 3 solar powered irrigation systems in 2 villages.

Within a year they had a profound effect by raising income, increasing nutrition security, advancing education, and ultimately enhancing the standard of living.

1. All 3 systems produced 1.9 metric tons of produce per month.
2. Vegetable intake increased from 3 to 5 servers per day.
3. 17% percent of the people involved in the project reported that they felt less food insecure.
4.  Woman who used the systems realized increased income by affording to sell a larger portion of their produce.
5. Their increased income enabled them to purchase more protein rich foods - ultimately decreasing malnutrition issues.
6. Education programs developed in schools to teach others how to use the system.

It's quite clear that solar brought about many advantages once it was put in place. But, how sustainable or realistic is it for farmers in rural areas and third world countries to purchase, own, and maintain such technology?

The following is an excerpt from the Stanford University article that talks about the study and explains it's sustainability:

Each solar-powered drip irrigation system is about 1.24 acres (0.5 hectare) in size, costs approximately $18,000 to install and requires about $5,750 a year to maintain, the authors said. Based on the projected earnings of the farmers, the system should pay for itself in about 2.3 years, they concluded. And despite higher up-front costs, the durable solar systems should be more economical in the long run than less expensive irrigation systems that use gasoline, diesel or kerosene pumps, with the added benefit of being emissions free, they added. Learn more about the Benin project at self.org where they tell it's story in greater detail.