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SOLAR EMPOWERMENT ACROSS COUNTRIES

Sustainable irrigation helps farmers adapt to climate change and maintain productivity

September 8^th, 2016

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Reliable access to water is critical for farmers everywhere, but, for many in developing countries grappling with poverty, unemployment, insufficient infrastructure and environmental degradation, climate change brings additional pressure.

To address these impacts, the Government of Canada partnered with UNDP, through the Climate Change Adaptation Facility, to strengthen resilience of vulnerable communities, including introducing solar-powered water supply in Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Mali, Niger and Sudan.

Solar pumps supporting vegetable production in the village of Alehaimerat, in North Kordofan, Sudan.

Solar pumps introduced in the village of Siraj Alnour, in Gedarif, Sudan.

CABO VERDE

In the islands most plagued by drought, the project introduced solar pumping systems to reduce energy costs and increase access to water. These systems are helping more than 500 farmers irrigate approximately 15 hectares/37 acres of arable land. Solar pumps also save countless hours spent fetching water for daily household needs. In turn, they have brought improvements in health and hygiene, education, and increased revenues from other livelihoods.

“Whoever got [to the well] first got the water,” recalls Filomena in Santiago Island. “So I used to leave around midnight and sleep there.”

Children spend many hours fetching water from the centralized water canals on Santiago Island in Cabo Verde.

CAMBODIA

In Cambodia, solar pumps have improved access to freshwater for both domestic use and irrigation, resulting in higher income and food security.

68 year-old Tourn Sakon used to fetch water from a pond in his village. With solar pumps close to his house, he can now focus his time on growing and selling his produce, which increases his income, diversifies his crops and increases resilience.

Mr. Sakon waters his vegetable garden in Kulen Cheug village, Preah Vihear province, Cambodia

User groups have been formed to manage water resources, putting women in leadership positions. This led to positive changes, such as reduced tensions between women and men, shared decision-making and increased skills for women.

Members of Vattanak Commune Council, Kratie province, and villagers come together to discuss farming activities

MALI

In Mali, solar pumps were installed along plots of land dedicated to vegetable gardening. With reliable access to water, women collectives are now able to produce more crops.

Solar panels used as part of the pumping system in Massantola, Mali

Representative from the women’s collective in Massantola accessing water from the solar pump system to irrigate her garden

Additional time- and labor-saving solar technologies, like multifunctional platforms maintained and managed by women‘s associations, provide an alternative source of income when the cash crops suffer.

Solar-powered multifunctional platform being used by head of Women’s collective in Mali

NIGER

Processing units composed of mills and huskers were installed in several communities in Niger, with positive effects on women‘s time and earning capacity. In a country where 90% of rural inhabitants have no access to electricity, providing solar powered solutions can be life-changing.

SUDAN

It is estimated that over 12 million hectares of rain-fed land are under threat from unpredictable rainfall, shorter growing seasons, and frequent and intense droughts. In response, 15 solar pumps were installed to improve seasonal irrigation of Jubrakas, collective plots of land managed by groups of ten to twelve women. This contributed to diversify household food crops, particularly in the dry season, supporting women’s increasing role as leaders of the community in managing and producing food.

Women now fetch water from the local solar pumping system in Siraj Alnour, located closer to home

Proud Farmer from the village of Alehaimerat in North Kordofan Sudan, showing off her harvest

Solar pumping systems in the village of Foja in North Kordofan, Sudan, to irrigate Jubraka managed by women’s collectives.

For more information on CCAF work, visit www.adaptation-undp.org/projects/ccaf.

For the full version: undp-adaptation.exposure.co/solar-empowerment

Footnotes

Story by Andrea Egan, Jennifer Baumwoll, data and research by Maruf Sanni / Photos by UNDP Cambodia, Cabo Verde, Mali, Niger and Sudan

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FootNotes

Story by Andrea Egan, Jennifer Baumwoll, data and research by Maruf Sanni / Photos by UNDP Cambodia, Cabo Verde, Mali, Niger and Sudan

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SOLAR EMPOWERMENT ACROSS COUNTRIES

Sustainable irrigation helps farmers adapt to climate change and maintain productivity

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