A solar irrigation project has been launched in Ngoma district to help farmers in Zaza and Mutenderi Sectors, Taarifa can reliably report.
According to details, the project has been launched by Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI) at a cost of Frw 260million. Part of this includes a Frw 168million donation by Rwanda Green Fund-FONERWA.
In Zaza and Mutenderi Sectors the irrigation equipment is expected to pump water to fix 20 hectares of crop farms.
Uwizeye Belange, the RWARRI Exective Director says the project aims at improving smallholder farmers' livelihoods and climate resilience using green technologies.
'This project is a response for vegetables and fruits growers who were challenged by the long dry seasons. Once all these irrigation facilities are operational, farmers grow crops during all seasons,' Uwizeye said.
According to Uwizeye the project has installed two solar water pumping stations and two clay-stone water reservoirs of 500m3 each to improve the livelihood and climate resilience for vulnerable groups in the community.
'Vegetable production during the 3 months of the dry season, costs Frw600,000 for the generator fuel used to pump water to the hillside,' says Uwihanganye Sebahire Faustin a farmer in the area.
Uwihanganye notes that such expenses were too high to be afforded by farmers in Zaza or Mutenderi sectors. Farmers in this area had resorted to farming only during the two rainy seasons.
Other details also indicate that this project targets 1,500 smallholder farmers with 600 women and 300 youth to produce high-value crops and increase their income using durable and adequate green technologies infrastructures.
The post Ngoma Farmers To Benefit From Solar Powered Irrigation System appeared first on Taarifa Rwanda.
Source : https://taarifa.rw/ngoma-farmers-to-benefit-from-solar-powered-irrigation-system/
