Solarpunk irrigation system combines radical mix of technologies for rural farming communities in Niger
Invented in Niger by computer scientist and social entrepreneur Abdou Maman Kané, this remote-controlled solar-powered field irrigation system combines affordable mobile phone technology with renewable energy and water pumps to transform the age-old practice of irrigating fields by hand in rural Niger, saving farmers from backbreaking labour and saving time for other generative pursuits.
Abdou Maman-Kané’s remote irrigation system is powered by a set of wind turbines and photovoltaic solar panels. The installations are connected to several sensors, which are in turn connected to a network of pipes installed in the fields. To operate the device, the farmer simply activates a code in an application installed on his smartphone.
“All you have to do to start up the irrigation system is dial a number on your cell phone"
We give farmers a pump, which can be used both above and below ground, depending on where the water is located. For 95% of the installations that we do, the pump is powered by solar panels, which we also install.
We make sure to adapt the irrigation system according to which crops the farmer is cultivating. For example, we use a drip system if plants only need to be hydrated through their roots. If the plants also need to have their leaves watered, we alter the system.
Finally, we install a box between the pump and the solar panel that contains a SIM card, which makes it possible to control the whole system remotely. Each time that we install this system, we do a careful study of how much water each plot of land needs.
If the farmer happens to be illiterate – which is the case for many farmers in Niger – then the server automatically sends a signal to start up the pump for a set amount of time. If the farmer does know how to read, then he can indicate how long he wants the pump to run in the app. These calls cost 200 CFA francs [Editor’s note: or 30 euro cents].
“Tele-irrigation” system is the name Abdou Maman-Kané has given to his invention. Abdou Kané established a private company, Tech-Innov S.A.R.L., in Niamey, capital of Niger, to manage, operate and market the system and its derivatives, which include an automatic watering component; a drinking water kiosk for rural environments, and an agri-info multimedia center. Tech-Innov also conducts research and participates in numerous initiatives to help develop the country’s industrial sector and contribute to society as a whole.
https://observers.france24.com/en/20151029-niger-remote-irrigation-system-saving-water-farmers-energy-environment-crops-cell-p
https://www.africastrictlybusiness.com/faba-for-africa-by-africans-horticultural-tele-irrigation-system/
https://www.afrik21.africa/en/niger-startup-company-launches-solar-powered-remote-irrigation-system/
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