For
years, irrigation has been the best way of producing food in several dry areas in
Kenya.
There
is new way in which irrigation is now being done. It is a cheap method. A method that is
environmentally
friendly.
Youth
groups and women groups have a chance to revolutionize their income through the
use of a modern irrigation technology. Solar agricultural pumps in Kenya has the potential of transforming the operational models adopted by self-help groups. The potential is much higher for self-help groups in rural areas.
In
Hola, a small self-help group is
registering frequent bumper harvests of fresh produce (tomatoes, onions and
ndania). The warm climate in the area favours a high growth rate of crops.
Within a period of six months, the group has registered two major harvests.
The
main driving force behind the group is the use of solar powered pumps for irrigation its farm. The main cost that the group has incurred so far is the
purchase of the solar powered pump. The operational costs of the group do not
include any significant costs for running the pump. The pump runs on solar
energy. Solar energy is free.
The
business model that has been adopted by the group can be a masterpiece for many
other self-help groups in Kenya.
While
many groups in Kenya wondered what they could do with the Uwezo Fund, this
group in Hola thought outside the box. The group identified the following three
factors as being in their favour;
- Fertile
soil.
- Warm
temperatures all year round.
- Water.
The
main challenge that the group identified was how to draw water closer to their
farm. Since a majority of the group members are young people, the use of old
methods of irrigation couldn't anchor well in their minds. Through
brainstorming and consultations, the group became aware of solar pumps that can
be used to draw water.
Other
technologies have been used to draw water in the area. However, the use of
solar energy is a very new technique in the area. With this new technique, the
group decided to take a risk. They wrote a business proposal and submitted it
to the Uwezo Fund.
In
its business proposal, the group included the cost of purchasing a solar pump. Soon
after, the wishes of the groups materialized when Uwezo Fund gave them a grant
to not only purchase a solar pump but also to meet other start-up costs.
Barely
a year has gone and the group is generating a lot of income. The group sells
its farm produce to fresh produce vendors in Bura Tana, Bura East and Garissa Town.
To keep the costs low, the group uses public transport means to transport its
produce.
Many
other youth groups in Kenya can emulate what the small group in Hola has done.
The good thing about this kind of operational model is that it works best in
semi-arid areas. Semi-arid areas have very fertile soil and high temperatures
throughout the year. The only challenge in such areas is water. However, proximity
to a water-well or a borehole or a lake is the ultimate solution to the water
problem.
If
you are a member of a youth group and your group has run out of ideas then try
to see the viability of solar pump irrigation in your area. You can seek the financial
assistance of your MCA, MP, Senator or Governor if the Uwezo Fund application can’t
go through.