By Brandon Moss

Garissa County, once synonymous with drought and food insecurity, is now emerging as a model for solar-powered agriculture. Inspired by the Garissa Solar Plant—the largest in East Africa—local farmers are tapping into renewable energy to irrigate crops year-round.

Along the River Tana, smallholder farmers have shifted from subsistence maize to high-value horticulture like mangoes, papayas, and kale. Solar pumps now power drip irrigation systems, reducing water waste and enabling off-season cultivation. The result? Higher yields, better nutrition, and a growing local economy.

However, access remains uneven. Only 12% of farmers in Garissa currently use solar irrigation. Local cooperatives are calling for expanded investment in solar infrastructure, training programs, and cold chain logistics to prevent post-harvest losses. Chinese development partners have expressed interest in scaling the model, but funding and policy alignment remain hurdles.

If scaled nationally, solar-powered farming could help Kenya meet its Vision 2030 goals for food security and renewable energy integration.