Solar Powered Irrigation Systems Enabling Off-Grid Farmers to Sustainable Agriculture  

By Henry Owino

Nairobi, Kenya:Majority of Kenya’s smallholder farmers largely rely on rainfall to irrigate their crops, as only six percent of farmland in the country is artificially irrigated. The small portion of irrigated farmland is due to challenges of fuel costs or electricity bills powering the generator water pumps.

Small-scale farmers especially from off-grid regions are most disadvantaged as they only rely on rainfall. A few who are able, carry out irrigation using motorized pumps of diesel or petrol powered. 

Consequently, rainfed agriculture has got its share of problems such as impacts of climate change; including erratic rainfall patterns (flooding), increased pest and disease outbreaks, and extreme weather events. On the other hand, smallholder farmers within the main grid have an alternative of using geothermal energy or fossil fuel to irrigate their farmlands. 

With geothermal energy, the farmers do not need to depend on rainfall which is ever unpredictable. However, using electrical energy or motorized power, the farmers spend some money purchasing fuel and paying electricity bill. This requires farm produce to do well and compensate for the farmer expenses incurred in production. 

Unfortunately, high cost of electricity bills and fluctuation of fossil fuel prices have discouraged small-scale farmers from irrigation farming. Traditional irrigation methods as substitutes are costly, labor-intensive, and unsustainable. Particularly regions where water scarcity is a growing concern, it is almost impossible.

These challenges have dwindled farm produce, escalating food shortages, coupled with hunger and poverty in most parts of Kenya.

Off-Grid Energy Solutions to Smallholder Farmers

SunCulture, a Kenya -based technology company and a leader in solar water pumps and irrigation solutions for smallholder farmers, is enabling off-grid regions to excel in agriculture. SunCulture Solar Water Pump is therefore here to offer a diverse value proposition for the underserved regions. 

These solar powered irrigation pumps are improving agriculture through off-grid energy solutions. The technique answers one of the most pressing issues, especially the source of energy to smallholder farmers in remote areas.

Samir Ibrahim, is SunCulture’s CEO and Co-founder of this company headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya that sells solar irrigation systems to farmers in the country and across Africa. Company founded in 2012 is to help solve daily challenges smallholder farmers endure including time-consuming manual irrigation or reliance on the increasingly unpredictable rains for their crops.

Ibrahim says 12 years later, since his Co-founder Charles Nichols launched SunCulture in Kenya, there has been an upshot of clean energy and 300 percent greater crop yields using 80 percent less water. He estimates technology saves 2 billion liters of water per year.

Co-founder asserts the company is dedicated to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in off-grid regions through solar-powered irrigation solutions. The robust solar irrigation system targets farmland of up to two-acres maximum. 

“Our mission is by developing and commercializing life-changing technology that solves the biggest daily challenges for the world’s smallholder farmers in remote areas. For instance; develop off grid solar technology to provide farmers with reliable access to water, irrigation, lighting, charging mobile-phone, radio, torch and powering television set,” Ibrahim explains.

Meeting the Needs of Smallholder Farmers

John Mwangi, Technical and Sales Person at SunCulture, says modern irrigation technology is not only beneficial to smallholder farmers in remote areas, it is also designed to check on sound and air pollution. The other is contribution to broader sustainable development goals (SDGs) of; Poverty Alleviation, Eliminating Hunger, ensuring Affordable and Clean Energy among other SDGs.

“By integrating off-grid energy solutions into agricultural operations, the sector’s carbon footprint is reduced, costs lowered, and energy efficiency is enhanced. The farmer stands a chance to improve yields and also increase profit” Mwangi points out.

Mwangi clarified that in order to meet farmers’ needs and concerns, the company came up with two main types of Solar Water Pumps: Submersible Pumps and Surface Pumps. 

The Submersible Pumps pull water from deep water sources such as wells and boreholes. Again, grouped into three categories; RainMaker2 with ClimateSmart Battery meaning it uses solar panel plus battery (29.6V) as back up, so it operates even on cloudy days. It provides farmers with 4 sprinklers, 4 LED light bulbs, and 2 USB charging ports for radio, mobile-phones, torch, and powering television set. 

Second category is RainMaker2 Kubwa with 2 solar panels each with 340 watts, 50 meters (m) electric cable and 50m (40mm) pipe and necessary fittings parts. The third category is ClimateSmart Direct with a single solar panel of 340 watts and 50m electric cable and 50m (25mm) pipe capable of irrigating one acre farmland while the first two irrigates 2 acres. 

Solar Surface Pumps suck water from shallow sources such as; seasonal rivers, lakes, dams, water pans, ponds, among others and distribute it across agricultural fields. It has 2 foldable solar panels of 230 watts each, 5m extension cable, 7m steel braided inlet pipe, controller pump, carrier and fitting accessories. 

Mwangi says all these solar pumps work greatly when it is sunny apart from RainMaker2 with ClimateSmart Battery. In Kenya, sunny days are the time when most livestock need water and people need even more water notwithstanding plantations. So, farmers can pump water from various sources and store it in reservoirs for convenient use.

“Farmers residing in remote areas without main-grid connections, solar water pump is an ideal investment instead of fossil fuels. Solar machines are reliable, efficient, effective provided there is sun shining, which is always,” Mwangi encourages farmers.

Farmers Initial Situation and Current State

Kajiado County located 80 km south of Nairobi County, along the Nairobi – Arusha highway, is semi-arid area with local residents predominantly Maasai community. The pastoralists have been hit hard by devastating drought conditions since the 1900s, and are shifting to crop farming as climate hazards are becoming more frequent.

Small-scale farmers are increasingly forming groups to help them combat the effects of climate change using modern agricultural innovations. The solar-powered irrigation system is one technology that has been gaining traction in Kajiado following the high vulnerability of residents to climate change effects despite being the least contributors of greenhouse emissions.

Godfrey Simiyu is one such smallholder farmers in Ilbisil area in Kajiado who have adopted solar powered irrigation systems as off-grid solutions. He admits from the time he began using the new technology to grow tomatoes, onions and kales, there has been a significant increase in yields, improved food security, and enhanced economic stability. 

Simiyu emphasizes that off grid solar energy solutions, offers promising options for smallholder farmers in remote areas to make use of clean energy and reduce reliance unlike fossil energy. He supplies tomatoes to Wakulima Market in Nairobi regularly including special orders by institutions.

Initially, Simiyu discloses to have relied on diesel to power generator water pumps incurring hefty costs, polluting air and risking children owing to its flammable or combustible nature. He abandoned it due to the cost of fuel in Kenya which has been increasing for a number of reasons; including taxes, removal of subsidies by the government and soaring global prices of crude oil.

“From the time the government partially removed the fuel subsidy in March 2022, which led to a spike in fuel prices, I resorted to solar powered irrigation systems. Today, the subsidy is completely abolished and prices are high at Ksh 168- diesel and Ksh 180 -petrol per liter,” Simiyu noted. In Addition, my solar water pump costs me nothing.”

Another reason that pushed Simiyu to adopt the solar system is unpredictable rainfall and so unreliable for agriculture. Rains may delay, come early or come on time but above normal meaning higher than the long-term average to an area, thereby wreaking havoc to plantation and farmlands.

“I used to do traditional irrigation, specifically the pulley system and relied on rainfall and wells and rivers. The method had drawbacks including; intensive labor yet less efficient, time consuming, uneven water distribution and waterlogging to crops,” Smallholder farmer regrets.

Fluctuation of market prices and high cost of production forced Simiyu to take up solar irrigation. He explains smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to such effects of unsteady prices of farm input. Again, relying on rainfed agriculture means smallholder farmers benefit in one season which is never cost effective.

“Rainfed agriculture allows smallholder farmers to only produce crops during one growing season per year, making them vulnerable to either droughts or flooding. Worse is limited access to climate-resilient farming practices and resources, exacerbating the farmers’ vulnerability,” says experienced off-grid smallholder farmers.

He noted motorized irrigation used by farmers was mostly inefficient and caused high emissions due to fossil fuels. Switching to solar-powered irrigation systems therefore, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously increases farmers’ income, food production, and resilience.

Uses and Impacts of Solar Irrigation System

Simiyu discloses he introduced his colleagues to the solar water pump and earned him a part time job as solar products agent in Kajiado County.  The title he uses to influence fellow pastoralists who were almost giving up farming and changed their mind purchasing the solar water pump. Though bought it through Pay -As -You -Grow financing and none regrets to date as they benefit greatly.

At Birika area along Kiserian-Isinya main road, in Kajiado West Sub-County, a group of women are making agriculture beautiful, simple and easy to understand through solar powered irrigation systems. In a two-acre farmland, is bee hive of activities with various crops thriving; cabbages, onions, tomatoes, water-lemons, beans, peas, among indigenous vegetables.

According to Anne Naitiku, solar powered irrigation integrated with drip irrigation is consistent and efficient having direct impacts in crop yields and quality. With a steady water supply, crops grow uniformly and healthily, resulting in higher productivity hence food security.

Naitiku says it’s easy to manage water resources, optimizing the irrigation process to meet specific needs of crops. Precision in water management leads to improved crop quality and greater returns ensuring steady food supply hence food security and high income from savings throughout the year.

“Switching to solar irrigation systems has helped our group cut off cost of fossil fuel, reliance on rainfall, minimize greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously increased income, food production and resilience. Personally, technology has assisted me build modern houses, even change lifestyle,” Naitiku reveals.

Subsequently, solar irrigation pumps are efficient, and have helped mitigate risks associated with climate variability. As a result, better health and free from polluted air.  

Beatrice Kiloku, lead women group, looked thrilled that no more debts of fuel bills, including initial investment in solar pumps offset by long-term savings of usual fuel expenses. The onward savings have helped individual members pay children’s school fees, built modern houses, bought motorbikes for ease of transport and operated a group grocery store.

Kiloku happily disclosed they spend less while growing more. For instance, the lead farmer stated solar irrigation system has enabled more small-scale farmers in Kajiado County affordable and reliable access to clean and renewable energy and water for livestock and crops improving general agricultural production. 

 “The solar pump system irrigates crops using low pressure spray sprinklers, hoses and drip distribution ensuring efficient water usage. With the solar pump, we grow crops any time of the year as long as there is water source and sunlight,” Kiloku justifies. Again, pumps have low maintenance costs, are portable, and easy to operate.” 

Opportunities for Sustainable Agribusiness

The solar pumps are designed to operate efficiently under various weather conditions, ensuring that crops receive adequate water even during power outages or fuel shortages. The reliability of solar pumps means that farmers can maintain their irrigation schedules without interruption, leading to better crop yields, healthier plants and harvest while fresh.

“I would like to confirm and emphasize that pumps are particularly beneficial to smallholder farmers in remote and off-grid areas where access to electricity is limited or nonexistent. Reason being, these pumps operate independently of the grid, making them an ideal solution for remote communities,” Kiloku emphasizes.

Josephine Kosin has been rearing livestock for milk sales and occasionally beef. With the introduction of solar technology, she incorporates both crops and livestock farming hence double benefits.

“Reliable solar pumps in remote regions empower women farmers to improve our agricultural practices and enhance our livelihoods and families. This accessibility has significantly contributed to food security and community developments,” Kosin wholeheartedly stated.

Faith Salau, Agriculture Officer, Kajiado County says she trains pastoralists turning into crops farmers on organic agriculture.

“We have established 100 percent organic farming, incorporating both permaculture designs and a system of syntropic community farming in semi-arid climate,” Salau affirms.

She says farming bridges the gap between the traditional lifestyle of Maasai nomadic pastoralists and the need for food security in an uncertain world. Nestled within a semi-arid environment, mono-crop farming would be impossible without the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides hence encourages permaculture.

Consequently, by combining permaculture design practices with organic farming and regenerative agriculture, the Maasai community will return to be self-sufficient in their food production and not at the mercy of climate change, drought, political instability, or globalization.

Setbacks amid Opportunities

As much as there is compelling evidence on solar irrigation systems contribution to economic growth and improved livelihoods, farmers also report challenges with the technology. These include a need for wider inclusivity through communications, reachable office contacts, improved affordability and need for design solutions.  All the two types of solar pumps should have batteries to store energy for use on cloudy days or late in the evening.

Finally, by integrating solar irrigation systems, farmers can embrace sustainable agriculture and ensure reliable water supply for their crops and livestock. As the demand for efficient and eco-friendly farming solutions grows, solar water pumps stand out as key innovation in the agricultural sector.