Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa

Solar irrigation is emerging as a key pathway to expand reliable, low-emission water access for smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa. This report summarizes lessons on scaling solar irrigation from IWMI-led country teams and partners working in Nepal, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and East and...

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Main Authors: Bodach, Susanne, Al-Zu’bi, Maha, Tilahun, Seifu A.
Format: Informe técnico
Language:Inglés
Published: International Water Management Institute 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179673
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author Bodach, Susanne
Al-Zu’bi, Maha
Tilahun, Seifu A.
author_browse Al-Zu’bi, Maha
Bodach, Susanne
Tilahun, Seifu A.
author_facet Bodach, Susanne
Al-Zu’bi, Maha
Tilahun, Seifu A.
author_sort Bodach, Susanne
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Solar irrigation is emerging as a key pathway to expand reliable, low-emission water access for smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa. This report summarizes lessons on scaling solar irrigation from IWMI-led country teams and partners working in Nepal, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and East and Southern Africa. It draws on a structured “Solar Irrigation Scaling Challenge” process as a mechanism used to collect and synthesize country experiences and insights. Country cases document innovation bundles that link digital tools for groundwater and solar planning, inclusive business and financing models, and governance reforms supporting sustainable irrigation services. The analysis shows how blended finance, gender- and youth-responsive partnerships, and evidence-based policy and planning shape diverse scaling pathways in different policy and market contexts. It emphasizes that solar irrigation must be embedded in integrated water–energy–food strategies, with coordinated institutions, digital solutions, and equitable access mechanisms to prevent over-extraction and ensure long-term environmental and social sustainability.
format Informe técnico
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institution CGIAR Consortium
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spelling CGSpace1796732026-01-13T02:08:08Z Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa Bodach, Susanne Al-Zu’bi, Maha Tilahun, Seifu A. solar powered irrigation systems smallholders farmers innovation groundwater Solar irrigation is emerging as a key pathway to expand reliable, low-emission water access for smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa. This report summarizes lessons on scaling solar irrigation from IWMI-led country teams and partners working in Nepal, Pakistan, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and East and Southern Africa. It draws on a structured “Solar Irrigation Scaling Challenge” process as a mechanism used to collect and synthesize country experiences and insights. Country cases document innovation bundles that link digital tools for groundwater and solar planning, inclusive business and financing models, and governance reforms supporting sustainable irrigation services. The analysis shows how blended finance, gender- and youth-responsive partnerships, and evidence-based policy and planning shape diverse scaling pathways in different policy and market contexts. It emphasizes that solar irrigation must be embedded in integrated water–energy–food strategies, with coordinated institutions, digital solutions, and equitable access mechanisms to prevent over-extraction and ensure long-term environmental and social sustainability. 2025-12-22 2026-01-12T11:41:06Z 2026-01-12T11:41:06Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179673 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program Bodach, S.; Al-Zu’bi, M.; Tilahun, S. 2025. Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program. 18p.
spellingShingle solar powered irrigation systems
smallholders
farmers
innovation
groundwater
Bodach, Susanne
Al-Zu’bi, Maha
Tilahun, Seifu A.
Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa
title Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa
title_full Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa
title_fullStr Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa
title_full_unstemmed Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa
title_short Lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in Asia and Africa
title_sort lessons learned from solar irrigation scaling in asia and africa
topic solar powered irrigation systems
smallholders
farmers
innovation
groundwater
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/179673
work_keys_str_mv AT bodachsusanne lessonslearnedfromsolarirrigationscalinginasiaandafrica
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AT tilahunseifua lessonslearnedfromsolarirrigationscalinginasiaandafrica