Renewable energy could fuel profitable farming, protect planet

As farmers try to remain resilient and profitable in their operations, it becomes vital to incorporate renewable energy sources in agriculture to lower production costs and curb the effects of climate change.

Agribank’s technical advisor for crops and poultry Hanks Saisai explains that renewable energy is derived from a natural resource that can be replenished at a higher rate than it is consumed.

In Namibia, solar and wind energy are replenished constantly and can be of significance if they are utilised effectively and efficiently in the agricultural space.

“With Namibia being a semi-arid country, solar energy is the most abundant source of renewable energy that can be incorporated into agricultural operations," Saisai explained.

Saisai noted that many farmers find it costly to operate advanced irrigation systems such as centre pivot systems, with monthly electricity bills ranging from N$15 000 to N$32 000.

By switching from grid power to solar energy, farmers could significantly reduce their expenses, he said.

Multiple benefits

The initial cost of purchasing and installing a solar-operated pivot system is the main cost that a farmer will incur, he explained.

Saisai said maintenance fees can be incurred annually, thereby significantly reducing production costs.

“Many solar panels have a life span of 15 to 30 years; this becomes a massive saving for the farming business, and it allows farmers to invest capital in other enterprises or infrastructure on the farm.”

The agricultural expert added that the solar energy can also be utilised for the production of crops all year-round as solar-powered pumps can be installed to extract underground water, which can be stored in portable water tanks.

The stored water can be utilised for irrigating crops using water conserving technologies such as drip irrigation systems, and this will help farmers meet water requirements for crops even when it is dry.

Solar energy can also be utilised to pump water from catchment areas such as water pans and direct it to nearby crop fields that are experiencing dry spells.

“This will mitigate the risk of crop failure as their daily water requirements will be met, and the stagnant water in the water pans (oshanas) will be utilised effectively instead of being lost through evaporation," Saisai explained.

Effective production

Water from oshanas can be used to irrigate fruit orchards established near water bodies – a practice that can help combat global warming as trees absorb excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Additionally, solar energy can be utilised in the agriculture sector to set up cold storage facilities at strategic production sites to address post-harvesting losses due to the limited availability of on-farm cold storage facilities.

Moreover, commercial solar plants can be installed on farms, allowing them to generate electricity that can be fed into power grids.

Saisai said this would help government reduce expenses related to bulk electricity purchases from neighbouring countries such as Zambia and South Africa.

Wind energy, on the other hand, can be an effective energy source for pumping water for human, livestock and wildlife consumption in areas with prevailing winds, he said.

“In areas where wind is abundant, windmills and reservoirs can be installed to utilise underground water sources for crop, poultry and livestock production," he added.

Saisai pointed out that renewable energy is an untapped option that can help sunny and windy countries such as Namibia develop a productive agricultural sector, as it has the potential to unlock massive production opportunities and create much-needed job opportunities.

Applying renewable energy sources significantly lowers emissions, which helps reduce air pollution and the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Over time, adopting renewable energy can also lower production costs in farming and ultimately increase the profitability of many agricultural businesses, he emphasised.