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Affordable Solar Irrigation for Year-Round Farming! The Solar Irrigation Solution with Flexible Payment and Services provides an approach to expanding access to solar-powered irrigation and supporting year-round farming. By combining solar irrigation pumps with flexible financing, tailored payment options, and sales and after-sales services, the solution addresses financial and service barriers that limit the adoption of solar irrigation among smallholder farmers. Scaled across Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, and Zambia since 2020, it supports wider access to irrigation equipment, technical services, and flexible payment arrangements.
Dry Out the Methane. Green Up Your Harvest. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is an easy, low-cost water-saving method for growing rice. Instead of keeping the rice field continuously flooded, farmers let the field dry out for several days between irrigations. The timing is guided by a simple field water tube (often bamboo or a PVC pipe) installed in the paddy. When the water level inside this tube drops to 15 cm below the soil surface, it is time to irrigate again. This alternating cycle cuts water use by about 25–30%, and helps reduce methane (a powerful greenhouse gas). By using AWD, farmers save money on irrigation costs (less pumping or water fees) while producing the same amount of rice, making them more resilient to water scarcity.
The sun’s energy at the service of your harvest The Solar Pump is a solar-powered irrigation system that uses photovoltaic (PV) pumps to lift water and irrigate crops, offering an economical and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-powered pumps. It combines solar pumps (SIPS) with water distribution systems such as drip, sprinkler, or simple hose, and can be combined with tailored financing models to improve access for smallholder farmers. Typically operating on direct current (DC) without an inverter, it is particularly suitable for off-grid rural areas.
Easy Water Access for Every Smallholder The Shallow Groundwater Tube well is a simple and economical technology for exploiting shallow groundwater (up to 20 m), particularly suited to floodplain areas with sedimentary formations. It involves manually drilling or jetting a narrow hole fitted with a PVC pipe (50 or 63 mm), from which water is pumped using a small, low-power pump powered by fuel or solar energy. This solution provides small farmers with efficient access to water for irrigation during the dry season, covering up to 1 ha, and also meets agricultural and watering needs. Easy to implement, inexpensive, and compatible with solar pumping, the technology increases water autonomy, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and supports sustainable and resilient agriculture, provided that local hydrogeological conditions are well understood.
The Fast Track to Climate-Smart Farming Zainer supports climate-resilient crop production by mechanizing one of the most labor-intensive stages of Zai farming. Using a 5 hp petrol engine, it enables rapid establishment of Zai planting holes that capture and retain rainfall, reducing labor needs from 300 to 40 hours per hectare and facilitating wider adoption of the practice in dry and arid environments.
Catch the Rain, Grow with the Grain! The Demi-lune (half-moon) technology is a simple land restoration method used mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. By digging semi-circular pits to capture rainwater and restore soil fertility, it tackles land degradation, water scarcity, and low productivity. First used in Burkina Faso in the 1980s, it has spread to Niger, Mali, Chad, and Senegal. Suitable for millet, sorghum, and legumes, it boosts yields and soil health, helps farmers adapt to climate change, and supports SDGs like No Poverty and Climate Action.
MahuWévi, the solution for aquaculture that sustainably feeds The MahuWévi is an advanced oxygenation system designed for sustainable fish farming in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for tilapia. It provides efficient, low-cost oxygen enrichment, ensuring high dissolved oxygen levels through short, regular micro-injections, while operating with minimal energy use. This technology reduces water demand by 50%, lowers nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, and enhances water recycling for crop irrigation, supporting a circular economy. Adaptable to various users, MahuWévi boosts profitability (with an ROI of 30%) and aligns with key SDGs by promoting food security, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunities for youth and women in aquaculture.
Low-cost irrigation technologies for increasing incomes for smallholder farmers. MoneyMaker's irrigation solutions prioritize sustainable water management, employing smart technology for efficient resource use. Designed to enhance crop yield and profitability, these solutions offer real-time insights into soil moisture and precise water application, contributing to environmental conservation and farm productivity.
Growing Resilient Wheat, Even in the Hottest Seasons. The technology of "Expanded Production of Irrigated Wheat" is crucial due to the impact of heat stress on traditional wheat cultivation in the hot rainy seasons of Sub-Saharan Africa. The innovative approach involves growing wheat during the cool season (winter production) to circumvent heat-related crop damage. However, this necessitates the implementation of irrigation systems due to limited precipitation. The technology enables stable, high wheat grain yields and quality, promoting a climate-resilient food value chain and allowing wheat cultivation in non-traditional dryland areas. Successful implementation not only advances self-sufficiency but also reduces the need for expensive wheat imports in various key regions of Africa.
Level Up Rice Yields with Precision Irrigation and Resource Conservation Precision Rice Irrigation and Surface Leveling technologies play a pivotal role in optimizing rice farming. They ensure efficient water distribution, leading to resource conservation, improved crop production, and enhanced input efficiency. By leveling soil surfaces and utilizing innovative water lifting systems, these technologies revolutionize traditional farming practices.
Preserving Water, Pond Liners for Sustainable Fish Farming. Pond Liners, an innovative water conservation technology, employ sheets of UV-resistant materials to form an impermeable layer between water and soil. This reduces water losses, prevents algal blooms, and facilitates nutrient cycling. Affordable and easy to install, these liners are crucial for fish farming in areas with sandy soils or limited access to freshwater.
Aquaculture Innovation: Growing the Future, Nurturing the Waters Tank systems for fish culturing are land-based enclosures used for intensive fish production. They are suitable when there’s limited water or land, and require a complete feed diet. Tanks can be made of various materials and shapes, and are used for rearing species like catfish and tilapia at high densities. Regular sorting is needed to minimize mortality due to cannibalism.
CBT: Nurturing Crops, Conserving Soil, and Cultivating Resilience In dryland farming, having enough water is a big challenge. Changes in rain due to climate change can risk our food supply. To improve crop growth and strength in Africa’s dry areas, it’s important to catch as much rainwater as possible and reduce water running off the surface. The Contour Bunding Technique (CBT) uses small walls placed carefully along the curves of the field to create small water collection areas. These walls stop the water from running off, help catch more rain, store more water, allow water to sink deep into the ground, and prevent soil from washing away and ditches from forming. This is a simple but professional way to explain the concept.
Wheat cultivation in high temperature regions ICARDA has developed heat and drought-tolerant wheat varieties. These varieties mature in 90 days, resist heat, drought, diseases, and pests, and increase wheat grain harvests. They are tested and adapted to local conditions before release. This innovation benefits farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.