Ethiopia’s Solar-Powered Agriculture Initiative

December 06, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Key Figures & Findings:
Ethiopia’s Sidama Region witnessed a transformative step in sustainable farming with the official handover of a 145 kW solar-powered irrigation system in Dore Bafana Kebele, Hawassa Zuria Woreda, on November 26, 2024. This project, benefiting 750 farmers (40% women), was co-organized by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Chinese Embassy, and Sidama’s local government. By enabling irrigation for up to 150 hectares of land, this initiative showcases the combined efforts of local and international stakeholders to integrate renewable energy into agriculture.

Statistics & Insights:
The solar-powered system cuts 329.115 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and saves 312,440 kWh of energy, reducing electricity costs by 9.86 million ETB. Sidama’s recent energy investments, totaling 1.3 billion birrs, have reinforced the region’s commitment to sustainable growth.

Future Implications:
By 2025,  Ethiopia could witness increased agricultural productivity from the solar-powered irrigation system, improving food security for farmers and boosting household incomes.