Approximately 46 per cent of the country’s population “falls below the poverty line.”  Several natural hazards, including droughts, floods, epidemics, heat waves, windstorms, and insect infestations, make Burkina Faso vulnerable to climate change.

Given the country’s dependence on agriculture, the vulnerability becomes more pronounced. The sector employs approximately 85 per cent of the labor force, contributes more than 85 per cent of export earnings and generates approximately one third of GDP.  Cereals, cotton, vegetables, and livestock are particularly prominent in the sector, supplied mostly by small-scale family farms of less than five hectares.

The number of motor pumps, in the country, is evaluated at 25 000 diesel pumps (90% used by small-scale farmers and 10% used by large scale producers). Almost all pumps are used in irrigated areas, with 46% of individually owned, 23% of shared pumps and 31% of the pumps, other forms of ownership such as hiring and borrowing without having to pay the owner among others. The main actors are small-scale farmers (individual or cooperative) and the pay for the diesel fuel, spare parts, maintenance.

This project is part of the actions developed by GGGI to support the government in the development of ecovillage in Burkina Faso. It focused on the development of a pre-feasibility study on Solar PV electricity as an economically attractive and environmentally – friendly alternative to hydrocarbon burning irrigation pumps for the development of the agriculture sector. This will support the implementation of the Ecovillages National strategy and the investment program. Indeed, the national strategy for the creation of ecovillage in Burkina Faso has been validated in March 2018 and the investment program has been validated on August 2019.

Project Objective: Project’s singular objective is the substitution (introduction) of diesel-powered pumps and generating sets with solar PV powered pump sets. Among the effects of the substitution will be firstly, reduced GHG emissions (SO1); and, second, foreign exchange savings on reduced import of diesel fuel.

Project Outcome : Burkina Faso irrigation agriculture is developed, through the Solar PV electricity.

Project Impact : Agriculture sector is developed with innovative model under the smart using of water and electricity.