Solar irrigation for Agriculture Resilience (SoLAR)
Farmers increasingly rely on irrigation to counter rising temperature and rainfall variability, leading to growth in energy demand and depletion of groundwater resources. The project aims to promote solar irrigation as a water-energy solution for climate-resilient and socially inclusive agrarian livelihoods in South Asia. Swiss innovation in groundwater monitoring through electricity use, efficient solar pumps and smart micro grids will be applied in the partner countries.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SouthAsiaregional |
Climate change and environment Water Agriculture & food security
Renewable energy generation
Water resources conservation Agricultural water resources |
01.08.2018
- 31.12.2023 |
CHF 5'570'000
|
- Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation ENERGY
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
AGRICULTURE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Energy generation, renewable sources - multiple technologies
Water resources conservation (including data collection)
Agricultural water resources
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10119
| Background | With 20.4 million pumps, the irrigation economy in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan in South Asia is overwhelmingly dependent on groundwater. The intensity of groundwater extraction is influenced by access to subsidized electricity. Groundwater irrigation in the region accounts for upto 1/5th of total carbon emissions from agriculture. The project rationale is to promote shift to solar irrigation pumps for climate resilient agriculture to reduce the carbon footprint of irrigation, coupled with incentives and policies for the sustainable management of groundwater in South Asia. Besides country efforts, the project will collaborate with the International Solar Alliance which has identified solar water pumps as one of its priority technologies. |
| Objectives | The main goal of the project is to contribute to climate resilient, gender and socially inclusive agrarian livelihoods in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan by supporting Government efforts to promote solar irrigation. |
| Target groups | The project will work with government agencies in northwest Bangladesh; in Gujarat state in India, in Tarai provinces of Nepal and in Punjab Province in Pakistan, to influence policies so as to enhance the outreach of solar irrigation pumps among the vulnerable groups including women farmers. The project will directly reach out to 29000 farming households in the project countries (160’000 individuals) during the project period. The project will also train approximately 300 male and female youth as solar technicians. Through the innovation grants, the project hopes to reach out to 6-8 innovators, whose work in turn, if up-scaled, can impact thousands of additional farmers. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
· Improved empirical evidence supports development of climate resilient, gender and socially inclusive and groundwater responsive solar irrigation policies. · Innovative actions and approaches for gender and socially inclusive and groundwater aware solar irrigation are validated. · Increased national /global knowledge and capacity for gender and socially inclusive and groundwater responsive solar irrigation policies and practices. |
| Results |
Expected results: · Impact of solar pump adoption on livelihood, and climate resilience documented. · Impact of large-scale solar irrigation pump adoption on groundwater sustainability documented · Gender responsive, pro-poor and groundwater aware solar irrigation models demonstrated · Technical and institutional modalities for grid connection of solar irrigation pumps demonstrated · A cadre of women and men technicians trained; and water-energy-agriculture experts sensitized about cross-sectoral interlinkages · Multi-stakeholder forums for global and regional exchange of knowledge on best practices in gender and socially responsive and groundwater aware solar irrigation practices and policies. Results from previous phases: Policy mapping: mapping of the existing policy and program landscape of solar irrigation and groundwater management in the region. Despite availability of high subsidies in most countries, less than 10% of the solar irrigation pumps at are owned by small and marginal farmers. In case of women farmers this number is only 5%. Stakeholder Consultations: with lead agencies in the four countries, a regional workshop and the International Solar Alliance. Identification of strategic interventions: in agreement with the national entities. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign academic and research organisation |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 5'570'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 1'668'090 |
