Benin Republic Solar Irrigation
Succeeds
Benin
Republic has recorded success in adapting the Solar Powered Drip
irrigation systems, meant to boost food and income levels for
farmers in Africa.
Researchers from Stanford University, United States of America
installed the solar-powered pumps in two villages in Benin and
analysed their impact on the delivery of groundwater to the
surface.
The results of their study were published this week in the
journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Findings
Compared with villages that use hand irrigation, the pumps
increased the daily production of vegetables by up to 700
grams per person, equivalent to five servings, during the rainy
season.
The researchers also found that people in control villages ate
150 grams more than their usual intake, suggesting that
the extra vegetables were being sold in local markets.
Panos/Qasim/Yinka
