Improving agricultural productivity, health, income generation and education in the Kalale District of Benin through innovative uses of solar technology, micro-irrigation and micro-financing.
Many of Benin’s rural farmers do not have year-round access to water or electricity to power water pumps that allow farming during the dry season. Rural villages have no electricity for health care, education, commerce, drinking water, or homes. In this project, solar electricity will power a pump to irrigate fields for dry-season farming that will increase income and improve nutrition. Additional solar-electric systems will power schools, clinics, micro-enterprise centers, well pumps and homes
A pilot project in 1 village will establish the best methods of matching solar pumping to low-cost irrigation systems. Solar electric systems will also be demonstrated on schools, clinics, streetlights, micro-enterprise centers and water wells.
A lack of electricity and water for dry-season farming creates debilitating conditions throughout Africa. Replication of a successful pilot project demonstrating solar pumping and micro-irrigation has the potential to lift millions out of poverty.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
