By Simon Okitela
Agricultural experts say it’s vital that efforts are directed towards unlocking and increasing access to affordable financing to boost productivity and drive the adoption and use of AgriSolar technologies.
They argue that embracing solar technologies will go a long way in boosting smallholder farmer productivity in key agricultural value chains.
Solar technologies, including solar-powered irrigation systems and solar dryers, have the potential to greatly enhance agricultural practices. Nevertheless, the substantial costs linked to the purchase of these technologies frequently serve as an impediment for small-scale farmers.
In collaboration with the Mott Foundation, the Innovation Village held a co-creation meeting that convened all stakeholders within the AgriSolar ecosystem at Protea Skyz Hotel to collectively identify actionable solutions, strategies, and tactical approaches towards unlocking and increasing access to affordable financing for solar technologies.
The aim was to drive the adoption and usage of solar innovation in farming communities to ultimately boost farmer’s productivity and profitability.
Speaking at the event, Arthur Mukembo, Lead FutureLab Studios, said Uganda is on the verge of adopting the green energy revolution to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel. This revolution presents an opportunity for solar innovations to catalyze change.
However, these visionary innovators often find themselves constrained by the lack of access to adequate financing and support mechanisms, slowing or altogether, inhibiting their ability to demonstrate product-market fit or scale beyond it.
According to Paul Yawe, the Chief Executive Officer of Innovation Africa Limited, as entrepreneurs, innovating in the AgriSolar ecosystem is costly as they are faced with multiple challenges, including limited access to affordable financing, onboarding, and serving hard-to-reach customers, as well as navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
Robert Ddamulira, Program Officer for Advancing Climate Change Solutions (ACCS) at the Mott Foundation, said in Uganda, the foundation’s attention is directed towards harnessing solar energy for productive purposes in sectors of agriculture.
The task for Innovation Village, according to Mukembo, is to create an enabling environment where solar innovators can thrive, scale their ventures, and contribute significantly to Uganda’s sustainable energy and agricultural future.
“We believe that empowering innovators and smallholder farmers with affordable financing for solar technologies is not just a means to increase agricultural productivity but rather a pathway to creating environmental sustainability, economic growth and food security,” Mukembo added.
Experts unanimously agree there is a heightened sense of urgency to innovate for climate change more than ever by prioritizing and supporting innovative technologies that engage with different facets of green or renewable energy.
