Solar savings are helping Kenyan farmers invest in 'newfound gold mines'
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UNCCD Library
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NASIANDA, Kenya — Robert Wafula, a 54-year-old farmer from Nasianda village in western Kenya, credits his change in fortune to his three dairy goats that he fondly refers to as his “newfound gold mines.”
Three years ago, Wafula was unable to make ends meet after harvesting the maize and beans he grows on his 1 1/2-acre farm.
“I used to look for casual labor or borrow money from neighbors to buy for my family basics like food, fuel, and even soap. These days, I can afford all these and more from my goat milk earnings,” the father of six said.
Wafula’s change in fortune is the result of a renewable energy project launched in 2018 that distributes free solar lights to struggling farmers in western Kenya, the coastal region, and Kibera, the country’s biggest slum. Money saved from the use of solar energy has enabled struggling farmers like Wafula to transition from subsistence farming to agribusinesses.
The project, initiated by Africa for SDGs, U.S.-based charity Watts of Love, and International Christian Youthworks Africa, aims to save families from spending about $1 every day on kerosene — a widely used fuel that has been linked to impaired lung function, asthma, cancer, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Other kerosene hazards include poisonings, fires, and explosions.
Investing in sustainable agribusinesses
After switching from kerosene to solar lights, farmers are provided with agribusiness training and can invest the saved earnings in sustainable agribusinesses instead of relying on rain-fed agriculture, said Joe Bonga, head of Africa for SDGs.
“The solar lights help farmers to … diversify into moneymaking projects like goat, sheep, and pig farming, as well as chicken rearing and beekeeping,” Bonga said.
After every season or four months, Wafula used to sell roughly 10 bags of maize for about $20 each. Now he is able to fetch about $2 daily for the milk from his three dairy goats — which has doubled his income.
Another farmer, 40-year-old Pamela Kwamboka, invested in 60 banana vines and now has a basketball court-sized plantation, while 34-year-old Agnes Sifuna used her savings to invest in hybrid sheep.
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About the author: David Njagi is Kenyan journalist with over 12 years’ experience in the field of journalism. He graduated from the Technical University of Kenya with a diploma in journalism and public relations. He has reported for local and international media outlets, such as the BBC Future Planet, Reuters AlertNet, allAfrica.com, Inter Press Service, Science and Development Network, Mongabay Reporting Network, and Women’s Media Center.
Three years ago, Wafula was unable to make ends meet after harvesting the maize and beans he grows on his 1 1/2-acre farm.
“I used to look for casual labor or borrow money from neighbors to buy for my family basics like food, fuel, and even soap. These days, I can afford all these and more from my goat milk earnings,” the father of six said.
Wafula’s change in fortune is the result of a renewable energy project launched in 2018 that distributes free solar lights to struggling farmers in western Kenya, the coastal region, and Kibera, the country’s biggest slum. Money saved from the use of solar energy has enabled struggling farmers like Wafula to transition from subsistence farming to agribusinesses.
The project, initiated by Africa for SDGs, U.S.-based charity Watts of Love, and International Christian Youthworks Africa, aims to save families from spending about $1 every day on kerosene — a widely used fuel that has been linked to impaired lung function, asthma, cancer, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Other kerosene hazards include poisonings, fires, and explosions.
Investing in sustainable agribusinesses
After switching from kerosene to solar lights, farmers are provided with agribusiness training and can invest the saved earnings in sustainable agribusinesses instead of relying on rain-fed agriculture, said Joe Bonga, head of Africa for SDGs.
“The solar lights help farmers to … diversify into moneymaking projects like goat, sheep, and pig farming, as well as chicken rearing and beekeeping,” Bonga said.
After every season or four months, Wafula used to sell roughly 10 bags of maize for about $20 each. Now he is able to fetch about $2 daily for the milk from his three dairy goats — which has doubled his income.
Another farmer, 40-year-old Pamela Kwamboka, invested in 60 banana vines and now has a basketball court-sized plantation, while 34-year-old Agnes Sifuna used her savings to invest in hybrid sheep.
Read the whole article following the link above
About the author: David Njagi is Kenyan journalist with over 12 years’ experience in the field of journalism. He graduated from the Technical University of Kenya with a diploma in journalism and public relations. He has reported for local and international media outlets, such as the BBC Future Planet, Reuters AlertNet, allAfrica.com, Inter Press Service, Science and Development Network, Mongabay Reporting Network, and Women’s Media Center.
Keywords
Kenya
Africa
renewable energy
solar energy
farming systems
human story
sustainable agriculture
health hazards