SEARI is making significant strides in sustainable agricultural technology with the piloting of solar powered small scale irrigation systems at Areka Agricultural Research Center. Supported by the Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), the project harnesses clean solar energy to pump water for irrigation, enabling farmers to cultivate crops throughout the year. This technology reduces vulnerability to drought and erratic rainfall patterns, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. The initiative demonstrates SEARI’s commitment to developing and promoting climate smart technologies that enhance food security and build resilience among smallholder farmers. Solar irrigation is scalable, cost effective, and environmentally friendly – making it a viable solution for water scarce regions across Ethiopia.
