Togo
Expansion of solar irrigation at CPIA for agricultural production in the central region of Togo (ProEnergie)
Strengthening sustainable agriculture: solar irrigation for Togo
As part of the project, the Urbis Foundation is working with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to promote solar irrigation in the central region of Togo. The 14-month project aims to familiarize agricultural producers with the use of solar-powered irrigation systems and equip them to increase their yields while contributing to climate-resilient agriculture. In total, GIZ is providing over EUR 197,000 to finance technical infrastructure, training and awareness-raising measures.
Total volume: 232.926 €
Duration: August 2023 – Oktober 2024
Project region: Zentralregion, Togo
Projekt partner: Urbis Foundation Togo
Funded by the German Development Cooperation Agency GIZ
As part of the project, the Urbis Foundation is working with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to promote solar irrigation in the central region of Togo. The 14-month project aims to familiarize agricultural producers with the use of solar-powered irrigation systems and equip them to increase their yields while contributing to climate-resilient agriculture. In total, GIZ is providing over EUR 197,000 to finance technical infrastructure, training and awareness-raising measures.
Challenges of agriculture in Togo and the need for innovative solutions
In Togo's agricultural sector, yields are heavily dependent on irregular rainfall. Access to reliable irrigation systems is limited and the use of fossil fuels is expensive and harmful to the environment. Solar-powered irrigation systems offer a sustainable solution here. They enable efficient water use, reduce operating costs and increase resilience to climatic fluctuations. This is precisely where the project comes in: Through the targeted expansion of solar irrigation, farmers should be able to operate more independently and successfully.
Urbis Foundation`s educational farm as a training center for solar irrigation and climate-resilient agriculture
A central component of the project is the expansion of the CPIA (Centre de Promotion des Intatives Agricoles) training farm of the Urbis Foundation Togo into a training center for solar irrigation and climate-resilient agriculture. Eleven trainers were comprehensively trained in the use and maintenance of solar irrigation systems, five of them as trainers and thus as multipliers. Three modern irrigation systems were installed specifically for demonstration purposes for the farm's vegetable cultivation in order to teach training participants how to use them in practice. In addition, around 20 farmers in training at CPIA now receive additional training in solar irrigation and climate-resilient agriculture every year.
Solar irrigation for regional vegetable cooperatives
In addition to the CPIA farm, seven agricultural cooperatives in the central region with a focus on vegetable cultivation were equipped with solar-powered irrigation systems and trained in their use and maintenance. The participating cooperatives were selected from 17 groups visited after careful examination. Aspects such as water supply, cultivation experience and organizational structure were taken into account. The new systems are not only intended to increase production, but also to serve as model systems in the communities in order to convince other farmers of the benefits of this technology.
Knowledge that lasts: training for the future
A central goal of the project is knowledge transfer. In addition to the training courses on the CPIA farm and at the vegetable cooperatives, 15 solar teachers and technicians have been trained to teach at technical vocational schools or take on interns. In this way, the knowledge is integrated into the training and further education of future solar electricians. Raising awareness among ten financial institutions about the potential of solar irrigation systems complements the comprehensive training program and is an important step towards improving access to financing for farmers.
The project represents an important milestone on the path to sustainable, climate-adapted agriculture in Togo. The combination of infrastructure, training and awareness-raising will create a solid foundation for establishing solar irrigation in the region in the long term. The large number of training measures - from trainers and farmers to vocational schools and financial institutions - ensures that the knowledge is permanently anchored locally and can also be passed on after the end of the project.
The project is being implemented by the URBIS Foundation together with the Togolese NGO URBIS Foundation Togo. The project is funded by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The project is being implemented by the URBIS Foundation together with the Togolese NGO URBIS Foundation Togo. The project is funded by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
