Water, Light and Hope

In Bantaal village, recurring drought and extreme heat have long undermined agricultural productivity and household food security. Farmers depended on erratic rainfall and expensive fuel-powered irrigation, which made consistent cultivation nearly impossible.

For Hawa, a smallholder farmer managing a four-hectare plot, these challenges defined everyday life. Crop failure was common, and the cost of fuel often meant choosing between irrigation and other household needs.

“We used to pray for rain every day. Sometimes, the crops would die because we could not afford fuel for irrigation.”

Hawa

To address this, Lifeline Gedo, in partnership with Concern Worldwide, introduced a solar-powered irrigation system in Bantaal. The aim was to promote climate-resilient agriculture while removing the dependence on costly and unreliable fuel. Alongside the infrastructure, farmers received training in improved and climate-smart agricultural practices, access to high-quality diversified seed, and continuing technical support to help them sustain higher yields over time.

The results were immediate. With a reliable water source, Hawa's farm changed from a struggling plot into a productive, diversified system. She now cultivates maize, Swiss chard, carrots, coriander, garlic and cowpeas — improving both what her household eats and what it earns.

“When I saw water reaching my crops without the noise of a fuel pump, I cried. It felt like a direct answer to our prayers.”

Hawa

Beyond one farm

Hawa extended irrigation support to neighbouring farmers. Her system now enables cultivation across an additional eight hectares, turning previously barren fields into productive farmland. Farmers in Bantaal share water resources, coordinate their farming calendars and support one another through planting and harvest.

“Before, we were alone in our struggles. Now, we are united. When the sun shines, it shines for all of us.”

Hawa

Bantaal is becoming a model of what renewable energy can unlock in a climate-vulnerable region. Farmers are no longer constrained by rainfall variability or fuel prices; they are planning for expansion, higher production and stronger long-term food security.

“This is more than irrigation — it is dignity restored, hope reborn, and a future reclaimed.”

Hawa