Solar-powered irrigation is helping smallholder farmers in Ethiopia reduce fuel costs, increase agricultural production and build greater resilience to climate change.

The technology is being introduced through Farm Africa’s Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable and Inclusive Development programme, supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The initiative is helping farming communities replace expensive diesel and petrol pumps with solar-powered irrigation systems.

Ethiopia has significant potential for solar-powered agriculture, but most smallholder farmers still depend heavily on rainfall. Increasingly unpredictable weather and drought are making rain-fed farming more challenging, while rising fuel prices and shortages are adding pressure on farmers who already use irrigation.

Solar Pumps Deliver Major Savings

In Akaki Kality, outside Addis Ababa, a 25-member vegetable-growing cooperative previously relied on diesel pumps to irrigate 1.5 hectares.

The cooperative consumed around 2,305 litres of diesel during a three-month growing cycle, costing approximately ETB 414,720.

With three growing seasons each year, switching to solar irrigation is expected to save the cooperative around ETB 1.24 million, or approximately £5,800, annually in fuel costs alone.

Farmers in Godino Kebele in Oromia Region are also benefiting from the technology. A group of six farmers cultivating two hectares previously used petrol-powered pumps and faced the additional challenge of travelling long distances to obtain fuel.

The group used an estimated 1,344 litres of petrol during one three-month production cycle, costing around ETB 241,920.

By switching to solar irrigation, the farmers are expected to save approximately ETB 725,760, or £3,386, per year across three production cycles.

Solar Irrigation Builds Climate Resilience

The benefits of solar irrigation extend beyond reducing operating costs.

Reliable access to water allows farmers to continue producing crops when rainfall becomes unpredictable, helping protect agricultural incomes and food supplies.

Solar systems also reduce farmers’ exposure to fuel price fluctuations and shortages. Instead of spending hours sourcing diesel or petrol, farmers can devote more time to crop production and other farm activities.

Farm Africa Ethiopia Country Director Shewit Emmanuel said fuel shortages and rising costs have placed significant pressure on farmers, affecting productivity and food security.

The move towards solar-powered irrigation also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and cuts greenhouse gas emissions, supporting more sustainable agricultural production.

Clean Energy Could Transform African Agriculture

Farm Africa Programme Manager Ayele Feleke said solar irrigation could provide both economic and environmental benefits as Ethiopia faces increasing pressure from climate change, population growth and food insecurity.

The experience in Ethiopia highlights the potential for renewable energy to become an important part of Africa’s agricultural transformation.

For smallholder farmers, replacing fuel-powered irrigation with solar technology can lower production costs while providing a more reliable source of energy. At the same time, increased access to irrigation can help farmers produce more consistently, strengthen household incomes and improve food security.

As governments, development organisations and private-sector investors look for ways to make African agriculture more climate resilient, solar-powered irrigation could become an increasingly important tool for expanding sustainable food production.