2008 Economic Development Award Laureate
Solar Electric Light Fund
| Laureate Country: United States |
| Project Country: Benin |
| Website: http://www.self.org/ |
| Video: 2008videos/Solar_Electric_Light_Fund.mov |
The Solar Electric Light Fund powers drip irrigation with solar technology so farmers can cultivate income-generating crops year-round.
In the Sahel region of Africa, people depend on local agriculture for income and nutrition. But the region experiences erratic rain and long dry periods and there is no electricity for irrigation. These conditions deepen poverty and malnutrition.
The Solar Electric Light Fund pairs solar power and drip irrigation so people can grow nutritious crops in every season. Solar-powered pumps move water to reservoirs at each agricultural site, and gravity distributes the water to crops. A project in two villages has helped provide one ton of much-needed produce to the region each week and increased household incomes by as much as 50% or more.
