(ERGO) – Somali farmers in villages around Beletweyne have been discovering the benefits of solar-powered irrigation.
Omar Farah Barre, who lives in Shabellow village, is one of 780 farmers hoping for a good harvest this year because of the regular water supply he has had for his crops and the reduced power bills to worry about.
Omar told Radio Ergo he had not planted any crops for the last two years because he could not afford fuel for the generator he normally uses to pump water to his farm. He used to have to raise around $800 to cover the costs of pumping water.
“This solar equipment has brought me new hope,’” he said.
“I have been able to water my farm twice and I didn’t spend anything. I did not have to stress about repairing the generator when it break and having to spend money on that and wait more than a week leaving the crops dry for that period.”
The solar-powered irrigation equipment was donated last year by Relief International. However, the river was dry at that time, and later in April there were damaging floods, so the equipment has been in storage until recently.
Mohamed Abdullahi Buraale, a representative of Relief International, said they have given 25 solar panels and pumps to the five farmers’ associations in the area.
“We know that the farmers spend a huge amount of money on generators for watering the farms,” he said.
The devastating floods earlier this year put many farmers even deeper into debt.
Liban Elmi Ali in Tabantaab village told Radio Ergo he has been unable to pay back the loan of $600 he took last year to finance his farm. He is now optimistic about the crops he is growing with solar irrigation and hopes to be able to repay the loan as soon as he harvests.
“We received this equipment at a time of great need, when I and many other people were on the brink of dropping out of farming because of the high costs involved in farming,” Liban said.
Liban is sharing a solar-powered irrigation kit with 30 neighbouring farmers. They rotate the equipment amongst them so that five farmers use it in one day.
