In Rwanda, the sun has shifted from being an enemy to a friend for farmers. They are increasingly using solar panels to irrigate their fields, replacing buckets and diesel pumps. In individual farms, systems with solar panels that power irrigation pumps have helped triple yields and reduce costs.
With support from international organizations, a program in Rwanda aims by 2029 to double the area of land irrigated using solar energy. Irrigation supported by solar systems helps cope with droughts, reduces harmful emissions, and saves farmers’ resources.
Similar projects are developing in Bangladesh and India, helping farmers cope with climate change. In Africa—where more than 600 million people do not have access to electricity—such solutions offer a chance for more sustainable agricultural development. It’s a clear example of how problems can be transformed into opportunities.
