Hounlessondji Kpadonou, a respected farmer in the village of Aglanvikopé, in the Bas-Mono region of southern Togo, has been tilling the soil with passion since he retired from his job as a welder. From a modest start in 2008, he now owns a vast farm that produces vegetables and maize.
"Thanks to the revolutionary solar irrigation pump given to me, my tomatoes, maize, carrots, cabbages and beets are doing better than ever," a delighted Kpadonou said as he pulled weeds off the crop. "This ingenious technology, with its sprinkler system, ensures optimal irrigation across my land -- it is far better than the system of pipes I was using previously. Now, my harvests are abundant, and my hives are producing good-quality honey," he added.
Dansou Kodjovi Zounbléo cultivates maize and "adéme", a local spinach that is popular in Togo and neighbouring Benin. The former mechanic decided to venture into agriculture in 2002. Almost two decades later, he also acquired the revolutionary solar irrigation pump. Powered by solar panels, the pump allows him to water his fields without spending money on electricity.
"Previously, irrigating my fields was exhausting and took time and energy. Thanks to the solar pump, I now irrigate my fields efficiently and produce abundant harvests. That's allowed me to respond to the growing demand for fresh produce, both in my Avégbo village and in the capital, Lomé," explains Dansou. His bountiful harvests have earned him enough money to hire additional workers. As a result, he is contributing to job creation in his village, offering young people a stable livelihood.
Kpadonou and Dansou are some of the 100 or so beneficiaries of the Project to Support the Social Component of Togo's Rural Electrification Programme - a scheme to promotesolar energy in rural areas through off-grid solutions as part of the national program, "CIZO" (light up). The program includes providing school with solar kits.
Marius Hounlessondji harvests tomatoes on a farm owned by his father, Kpadonou Hounlessondji.
The African Development Bank and the European Union jointly funded it with $11.68 million. It has impacted livelihoods in around 500 rural areas in Togo by improving energy access to households, community amenities and small farms.
By mid-September 2023, the project had installed 122 solar water heaters in health centres and provided electricity to 87 peripheral care units. In addition, 153 immersion and surface pumps have been deployed on farms.
The project aligns with two of the African Development Bank's 'High 5' strategic priorities; "Light Up and Power Africa" and "Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa".
"This project has been a real turning point for me. It has transformed my farm into a model of efficiency and productivity thanks to solar energy," Kpadonou restated. Indeed, his produce is also used to feed the animals on the farm, whose waste is transformed into compost for his crops. Apart from irrigating his farm, the solar pump system also extends water to his household, enabling him to save money while increasing his productivity and protecting the environment.
"Nothing on my farm is wasted: everything is transformed into a bright and prosperous future!" Mr Kpadonou said proudly.
