Dry season farmers switch to solar water pumping engines
In Taraba State, dry season farmers have made a significant shift towards utilizing solar and gas-powered water pumping engines as an alternative to traditional diesel and petrol engines. This transition, as detailed in interviews with Daily Trust, is attributed to the lower cost of operating solar and gas-powered engines compared to their diesel and petrol counterparts.
Recent observations confirm that dry season farming has commenced in full within the irrigation fields of Gassol and Karim-Lamido areas. Engineer Yahaya Mafindi, an active proponent of dry season farming, revealed his successful utilization of solar water pumping engines at Shika irrigation field, where he has increased the deployment from two to four engines this year.
Mafindi highlighted the escalating expenses associated with petrol, resulting in an overwhelming cost burden for dry season farming. The conversion of traditional petrol and diesel engines to gas systems has garnered notable interest among farmers aiming to minimise production costs.
As a direct consequence of the soaring fuel prices, the shift towards solar and gas-powered water pumping engines has significantly curbed the expenses incurred in fueling engines, thereby reducing the overall cost of watering farms. Mafindi advocates for government intervention, urging both the Federal and Taraba State authorities to invest in solar systems for irrigation fields across the region, ultimately lowering the cost of production for farmers.
Haruna Sarkin Shekar, a seasoned large-scale farmer, outlined his hybrid approach, incorporating both petrol and solar systems in his Shekar dry season farms. Despite this, he emphasized the urgent need to convert three petrol-powered engines to gas systems and procure additional solar-powered pumping engines to efficiently cater to all his dry season farms.
The surging demand for the conversion of petrol-powered water pumping engines to gas systems has resulted in a substantial uptick in clientele for mechanics specializing in these conversions. Musa Dan Wurkum, a prominent mechanic in this field, noted the exponential rise in customers seeking this transition, attributing it to the cost-efficiency associated with the new system.
However, the increase in demand has correspondingly driven up the cost of solar water pumping engines and conversion services, citing a twofold surge in prices compared to the previous year. Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the distribution of solar water pumping engines provided by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, with indications that some engines did not reach the intended dry season farmers due to misallocation.
Moreover, amidst these advancements, security challenges were acknowledged by farmers in the Gassol irrigation field, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to safeguard lives and properties in the face of potential threats.