The systems provide reliable water without expensive diesel or petrol, allowing crops to grow during extended droughts. The initiative is improving agricultural productivity, food security and household incomes while making farmers less vulnerable to fuel shortages and unpredictable weather.

Solar-powered water pumps have been introduced in central Ethiopia and around Addis Ababa through a programme led by Farm Africa.

One 25-member vegetable cooperative previously used 2,300 litres of diesel during a three-month growing cycle. Switching to solar is expected to save the cooperative almost 6,000 dollars in fuel costs while eliminating its diesel use and associated greenhouse gas emissions.