The Business Case for Solar Irrigation

Cabbages planted in Yumbe District by Potogere farmers group using climate smart agriculture practices.
Cabbages planted in Yumbe District by Potogere farmers group using climate smart agriculture practices.
01 July 2024 • UPDATED 02 July 2024

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Mercy Corps in Uganda is delighted to share a business case report, which highlights the progress of Powering the Uptake of Climate Change Mitigating Pumps Uganda project (PUMP-UP) in promoting the uptake of solar water pumps through the establishment of demonstration sites. In the report, the key learnings, and recommendations from this implementation are highlighted. This report showcases the potential of solar irrigation to transform the lives of rural farmers, the backbone of Uganda's economy.

PUMP-UP seeks to enable farmers in Northern Uganda (Yumbe and Gulu districts), including women, youth, and refugee farming communities to build resilient livelihoods and to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. The project achieves this by supporting viable investments in climate-resilient technologies such as Solar Water Pumps (SWPs) coupled with best practices in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).

With funding from Danida Green Business Partnership, and in partnership with Simusolar and Tulima Solar, Uganda-based companies specialising in the distribution and financing of solar-powered water pumps, we are supporting over 1000 smallholder farmers in accessing solar irrigation technologies.

The PUMP UP project improves the capacities of the commercial partners to adapt and localise their product in the districts of Yumbe and Gulu by improving their PAY-GO consumer financing offer and developing cost-effective and inclusive go-to-market and sales strategies.

Download the report above to uncover valuable lessons and recommendations that can drive sustainable change in Uganda's agricultural sector.