FEATURE
research, the lag can be attributed to
the fact that the area already under
irrigation is far below the potential
irrigable area. Be that as it may,
irrigation has been making a significant
contribution towards the national
agriculture goals; food security, increased
income for smallholder farmers as well
as the generation of employment.
Irrigation methods used in Kenya
Irrigation in Kenya is being used as
a means to enhance farming and
boost agricultural productivity in the
country. Several methods are used
by Kenyan farmers to practice irrigation
include surface and sub-surface irrigation,
sprinkler and drip irrigation methods.
Technological advancements for
irrigation
An initiative pioneered in Israel, drip
irrigation has been proven to save on
water and fertilizer utilization. This is
through delivering droplets of water to
the base of plants. Unfortunately the
off- grid farmers aren’t able to use the
technology without expensive diesel
generators.
The only plausible solution for this
hindrance, as proven by SunCulture,
28 |November - December 2018
is the utilization of solar power.
The company is also dispelling the
misconception that solar is expensive by
making it available to smallholder farmers,
the startup sells affordable solar-powered
irrigation products and a one-stop-shop of
services to farmers in Kenya.
Kenya has 5.4m hectares of arable
land. However, only 17% of that is
suitable for rain-fed agriculture; the
rest needs to be irrigated. Moreover,
alternatives such as petrol, electric,
and manual systems are unfortunately
constrained by high input costs and
labor inefficiencies.
SunCulture designs and installs
irrigation tube networks and solar
panels on farms (typically a three-
panel 300 watt system on a one-acre
lot). It also offers training and brings in
agronomists to maximize yields.
The company has set up 350 systems
in Kenya, and recently put down its
first system in Ethiopia. It claims to
increase crop yields by as much as
300% and produce water savings of
80%, compared to other local farmers.
SunCulture sells its “one-stop” package
for US $3,000 per acre.
This is unarguably an investment
farmers are able to make back within
one growing season. According to
Samir Ibrahim, one of the founders,
their approach is holistic and does not
only depend on technology. Ibrahim
says that even with technology you still
have to build systems around that.
The startup is yet offer its own
financing, though that is definitely
the plan. The question is just how to
structure the repayments, given that
farmers have little money at beginning of
the season and lots of it at harvest time.
SunCulture is also looking to develop
an irrigation-as-a-service business
model as opposed to just being an
installer. This, Ibrahim says, will work
as an irrigation subscription for lack of
a better word. The move will not only
help match farmers’ cash flow cycle
better, but will also help SunCulture
expand more rapidly.
One undeniable fact that remains is the
combination of drip irrigation and solar
comes as a huge reprieve for farmers
who are not able to rely on the rain.