Ouagadougou, October 17-22nd, 2022, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has enabled the installation of 45 solar pumps in three regions (North, Hauts-Bassins and Center-West) bringing to 50 the number of solar irrigation kits made available to agricultural producers since 2021. The ‘Solar irrigation pumping systems and solar mini-grid’ project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment with financial support from Denmark.
Burkina Faso has an enormous natural sunshine potential. In the current context of climate change and national situation, marked by the increasing food insecurity and energy poverty, the adoption of solar pumping irrigation systems (SPIS) in agriculture will help increase farmers’ resilience. Solar irrigation systems strengthen the economic resilience of producers who, compared to using diesel irrigation pumps, save on energy costs after the initial investment. GGGI collects technical-economic results of the test farms to identify the types of farms, crops, and irrigation methods most benefiting of solar power. The objective is to establish business models for larger-scale adoption by producers and their organizations. The pilot farmers have also benefited from prior training on climate-smart agriculture, irrigation techniques and natural resource management, including water and how to use these pumping systems, by GGGI.
A diesel irrigation pump replaced by a solar pump in Center-West region
According to the Regional Director in charge of agriculture of Center-West region, Mr. Amadou Lingani, these pumps will contribute to increase field production because of the reduction of the production cost and the reduced physical effort of irrigation.
The average lifetime of a solar pump is at least 10 to 15 years if used correctly, and it requires low maintenance.