The fact that the climate is changing is nothing we can
deny. Here in Malawi the evidence is
everywhere, scarce rainfall, and prolonged droughts. Months without rainfall and
prolonged scotching sun are beginning to be the song of each and every day.
Malawi being reliant on agriculture for survival is digging
its own grave if it continues relying on rain fed agriculture. The truth is we
are not producing enough food as expected. Of course there is only one move
that Malawi has to make; Irrigation, not just any other but solar powered
irrigation.
Solar powered irrigation as the name suggests uses solar energy,
which is the energy and power from the sun. The technical explanation is
simple; all you need are solar panel mirrors to power the water pump, and
batteries for storing power. These mirrors will absorb, and trap energy from
the sun and convert it into electrical energy. The electrical energy will first
be stored in the batteries then used to power water pump. The process may sound
too technical and scary but rest assured it happens automatically without
anybody doing or controlling it.
The good thing about the system is that it is extremely cheap
after installation. There are no extra costs on fuel as it is the case with
Diesel and Petro powered irrigation systems. Of course I agree that the initial
purchase of the equipment can be a burden, but think of no costs once the installation
is done. Those systems that use fuel energy may seem cheaper at first but as
time goes the costs accumulates and reach a point of exceeding solar
irrigation. I believe a good move is to go with the solar powered irrigation
other than fuel powered irrigation systems especially here in Malawi.
The other point to put in mind is the issue of the
environment. Everyday either be it on Radio, Television, Newspapers, and of course
some Blogs like the one you are reading now you could hear stories about
protecting our mother nature. Coming back to our main topic “solar irrigation”
is environmental friendly and clean as it uses sustainable energy. There are no
harmful fumes or gases released from the use of solar irrigation system as it
is the case with other systems. We all say the environment is in our hands, why
continue using systems that will contribute to the downfall of our own
environment? Think of the generations that are coming ahead, what kind of
environment would they find because of our deeds today?
Scarcity of energy to power our irrigation systems is also a point
worth mentioning about. Let me take you a little back in time to the energy
crisis in Malawi in year 2011. You could see endless queues at Gasoline filling
stations; people were spending days and nights just to fill their hungry fuel car
tanks. Think of those farmers who solemnly relied on Gasoline irrigation systems,
where were they getting the fuel to power their water pumps? Think also of the
cost of acquiring that fuel due to its scarcity. The only sound decision would
be to switch to solar energy irrigation; in Malawi you cannot go a day or some
days without sunlight. The sun shines each and every day be it in summer or
winter there by energy available around the year. Of course some months in
winter the sun shine is not that intense as the case in summer, but remember
the system has backup power storage batteries. The power in the batteries can
be used to supply constant energy throughout the winter.
