Harnessing the Sun for Agriculture

Project summary: This project will pilot a holistic support solution that will distribute high-quality solar irrigation equipment to smallholder farmers in Malawi. Project Description: In Malawi, land is often the only resource of economic value that rural households have ownership of. Over 80% of the population live in rural areas and depends on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods. However, agriculture is a practice which is highly water intensive. There are also water rights in Malawi, which restrict farmers’ access to the water they need. This affects the livelihoods of Malawian women who make up 50% of the country’s agricultural workforce. Irrigation can compensate for agricultural water deficits, but it requires a regular energy source. Only 10.8% of Malawi’s population is connected to the grid and only 1% of people in rural areas have access to energy. Wala Ltd works with farmers and focuses on productive use solar technologies for agriculture. The company’s pilot project in Malawi will provide farmers with holistic support solutions, including: • Pay-as-you-Grow financing • Connections to financing partners to help save and access soft loans for technology and farm inputs • Contract farming which will ensure secure and consistent revenue (This will also enable the farmers to have capacity to pay for Wala Ltd equipment) • Training on how to use and maintain solar technologies, good agriculture practices and business skills related to farming Wala Ltd will use its efficient and affordable irrigation technology, expertise, and guidance on agri-business, to help support small-holder female farmers.