| Sumario: | This report synthesizes key findings from field visits assessing existing solar irrigation practices, on-the-ground challenges, and opportunities for scaling solar irrigation systems. It analyzes systemic constraints limiting sustainable uptake beyond donor-supported pilots and proposes structured scaling strategies, with particular emphasis on technology bundling, institutional readiness, and financing mechanisms. While solar irrigation provides an alternative to diesel pumping and gravity diversion, the study emphasizes that water supply alone is insufficient to achieve sustainable irrigated agricultural development.
The report contributes to the responsible scaling literature by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of integrated bundling approaches and participatory prioritization of scaling pathways and financing options. Six critical bundling elements are identified: policy and regulatory support, financing, hardware technologies, water resource and agronomic integration, capacity development and service provision, and market linkages and value chains. Together, these elements address interrelated technical, institutional, and market barriers to scaling.
Recognizing the limitations of subsidy-driven models in Ethiopia, the study evaluates commercialization-oriented scaling pathways and financing mechanisms through multi-criteria, participatory processes. Four context-specific scaling pathways and five financing mechanisms are prioritized, highlighting the need for blended and adaptive approaches. Overall, the report presents a practical framework for transitioning solar irrigation from fragmented pilots to sustainable, inclusive, and market-oriented systems, supporting learning, resilience, and farmer-centered development in Ethiopia.
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