Energy poverty disproportionally impacts rural women. EarthSpark International views all of their energy access projects from a feminist perspective. They call their solution “feminist electrification". This approach involves and benefits women, which reduces poverty and increases access for all.
As the impact of climate change increases, climate neutral solutions like Futurepump's are likely to prove increasingly attractive to investors and customers. With appropriate financing, the solar pump could help smallholder farmers better cope with water scarcity.
Dr. Martin Fisher, CEO of Kickstart International, an organization founded in Kenya, talks about the campaign to end extreme poverty in Africa. Kickstart International is one of the organizations highlighted at the Global Citizen Festival honoring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
Farmers using the RainMaker solar-powered water pump can irrigate, support livestock, and even cook and clean. They also cut 17 hours of hauling water out of their workweek. Says one farmer: “I have water all the time. Even during the dry season I can plant crops as I wait for the rains to come.”
This month, Futurepump visits Papua New Guinea, where more than 82% of citizens over the age of 10 work small farms, largely growing food crops on land of less than two hectares in size. The abundant surface water resources there are perfect for micro irrigation systems like the Futurepump SF2.
UGARF is being honored for the EvaKuula, their biogas-powered evaporative milk cooler. AE50 awards have been encouraging and applauding engineering achievements since 1984. Entries are evaluated by a blue-ribbon, international panel of industry experts in technology, design, and product development.
Nigeria's Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, reports that the government is interested in working with Futurepump to meet the needs of smallholder farmers. Durable and affordable, Futurepump's SF2 is a sustainable solution to a pressing problem.
EarthSpark International has recently received a generous donation from Spring Power & Gas in support of their continued, critical work to scale the delivery of clean energy technology in Haiti.
In Kenya, over two thirds of the population work in agriculture. Most are smallholders, and they produce 60% of the food eaten in Kenya. Frequent droughts make irrigation a necessity, so Futurepump found a sustainable and inexpensive way for farmers to be productive, even in a dry climate.
Promethean Power is one of 20 start-ups who will take center stage for Pitch Day in Singapore on October 26th. The top five will go to the finale on November 15th. The shortlisted start-ups are in the running to win the $15,000 Jury’s Prize and/or the $5,000 Audience Prize at the Finale. Good luck!
Sukuma wiki (kale) is a tasty and popular part of Kenyan cuisine. It's in particular demand during the dry season, when fewer farmers are growing it. Using Futurepump's solar irrigation pump technology means that farmers can grow kale year-round, which is both profitable and delicious.
