Irrigated Agriculture in Meru and Opportunities for Solar Powered Irrigation
Meru County currently sits on a massive opportunity to transform its agricultural landscape. While the county presently has 15,000 Ha under irrigation, this represents a mere fraction of its 80,000 Ha potential. This gap signifies not just a loss of production, but a missed opportunity for substantial increases in agricultural profitability for our farmers. The foundation for this success is already in place; the county is blessed with diverse agroecological zones that support a wide range of value chains.
What makes this potential so tangible is the abundance of natural resources available to support a shift from rain-fed reliance. Meru possesses great water resources in the form of permanent rivers and rich underground aquifers. More importantly, the county receives adequate rainfall, twice a year, providing a critical opportunity for harvesting rainwater to support. Complementing this water availability is a powerful, free energy source: the sun. Meru’s strategic location allows for approximately 12 hours of sunshine per day in most parts of the county, with the exception of the cloudier months of April, October, and November. This consistent solar radiation offers a reliable source of energy to lift harvested water, making year-round irrigation a logistical reality rather than just an ambition.
