Firm unveils solar-powered irrigation financing scheme in Ogun

Heifer Nigeria has launched a finance leasing guarantee scheme that gives farmers access to solar-powered irrigation pumps that help all-year-round farming regardless of weather conditions.

At the launch of the project in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Country Director of Heifer in Nigeria, Dr Lekan Tobe, explained that the irrigation technology utilises solar energy to power the pumps, eliminating reliance on traditional energy sources and cutting down farmers’ operational costs.

A statement on Tuesday said Heifer’s SPIPs finance leasing project would provide smallholder farmers with access to new irrigation technology to support their farming throughout the year.

This, it said, would enhance their capacity to increase productivity, earn increased income, and improve their livelihoods, aiding self-reliance and making them contribute more to national development.

The statement read, “Farmers can easily access the SPIPs through a lease-to-own model operated by a private vendor facilitated by Heifer Nigeria. They can make a small down payment and spread the balance in installments over two years, after which they own the SPIP outright.

“With the SPIPs finance leasing project, farmers in Ogun State would be able to overcome climate change, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns, which are increasingly impacting crop yields and food security and posing a significant threat to agriculture in Nigeria.”

The director, Tobe, described the project as an innovative and promising sustainable alternative to conventional electricity and diesel-based pumping systems.

He noted that solar-powered pumps offer efficiency, convenience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, saying they can transform agriculture in Nigeria.

According to him, Heifer’s focus encompasses farmer access to the market, innovation, new technology, and leveraging partnerships to scale up, leading to higher productivity and enabling farmers to earn decent livelihoods while caring for the earth.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, commended Heifer’s support for farmers, which she said would lead to food self-sufficiency in Nigeria.

She assured that the state’s partnership with Heifer and others would continue.

Jokotoye added that the Ogun State Government has set aside large farm settlements across Ogun State and provided fertilisers and a standby fund to support farmers and other groups in the state.

The founder of Nimsy Agro Solar Concept and inventor of the SPIPs, Mr Onimisi Atere, explained that the new farm tool has empowered farmers to farm three times a year and embrace sustainable farming.

He added that with SPIPs, farmers would be able to save up to 40 per cent on farm expenses, enabling them to earn more.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ogun-Osun Rivers Basin Development, Adedeji Ashiru, praised Heifer’s empowerment, like SPIPs, in solving Nigeria’s food production, security, and sustainability.

Also, the Managing Director of the Internet of Things, Africa, Mellani Ayoola, advised farmers to be open to new ideas through innovation and adoption of new technology to do better, commending Heifer for facilitating the process of making the SPIPs available to smallholder farmers.

The Business Development Manager of the Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Mr Oyeniyi Oyelekan, described SPIPs as a game changer that would enhance Nigeria’s food security situation.

The Programme Manager of the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme noted that the SPIPs’ accessibility to farmers assured that farmers now have the opportunity to farm all seasons, increase their farm outputs, and improve their income and living standards.

Saheed Gambari, a farmer from Opebi, Odeda Local Government, described the project as a divine intervention that has empowered him to be productive, farm profitably, and realise his farming dreams.

Another farmer, Ayoleke Oke, said SPIPs offer peace of mind, reduce stress and cost of labour, enhance precision farming, yield higher, and expand farming scope, leading to a productive experience.

Heifer expects that with the SPIP’s empowerment and increased economic opportunities, women and youth would be encouraged to embrace farming and unlock opportunities within the agricultural sector.