Capacity development for solar-powered irrigation
Despite relatively high upfront investment
costs, the operation of solar pumps is virtually
free. Therefore, solar pumping is often perceived as an irrigation method leading to unsustainable water abstraction rates, so that the
issue of agricultural water management needs
to be addressed. Water resources, particularly
groundwater, are at risk when extracted faster
than they can be replenished, leading to water
scarcity, irreversible salinisation, loss of ecosystems and wetlands, land subsidence and social
conflicts over competing water uses. However, groundwater depletion can be prevented
through good agricultural and water management practices. Jacinta Gatwiri, aware of the
problem, proposes a central role for the government to monitor and curb the excessive abstraction of ground or surface water in order to
ensure that irrigation practices are sustainable.
Especially in regions with little experience in
irrigation, it is crucial to train farmers on simple and effective water management, such as
rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation techniques and agronomic practices.
Furthermore, the economic viability of such
an investment often depends on the longterm vision a farmer has for his farm, and the
information he or she has at hand about financing options. Despite an increasing palate
of innovative and affordable solutions, such as
pay-as-you-go models, solar pumps have not
yet gained acceptance, especially among smallholder farmers. Small farmers often lack access
to finance, needed in particular to cover the
high cost of purchasing a pump. A greater effort is needed to support farmers in their economic planning and financial literacy, while a
direct dialogue with financial institutions and
private sector is required to develop more tailored financial products for farmers.
Solar powered irrigation systems hold a great
potential, but to unleash it, more work is needed to build capacities – from technical skills of
electricians and technicians to knowledge of
adaptive water management by farmers – reflecting the cross-sectoral nature of the systems.
The SPIS Toolbox
The Toolbox on Solar Powered Irrigation
Systems (SPIS), developed by GIZ and the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is an initial step towards offering a comprehensive training approach. It
provides manuals and tools to guide advisors..
Article sourced from: https://www.rural21.com/fileadmin/downloads/2020/en-01/rural2020_01-S22-23.pdf
