A Solar-Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) facility has been constructed at the University for Development Studies (UDS) to serve as a demonstration center for training technicians, installers, and agricultural extension agents.
This would enable the technicians, installers, and agricultural extension agents to service SPIS for farmers in the northern part of the country to enhance food production. The SPIS facility is fully installed with a drip system, sprinkler system, spray tube system, and an underground water tank with a 50,000-litre capacity.
The construction is in line with a Memorandum of Understanding between the UDS-West Africa Centre for Water, Irrigation and Sustainable Agriculture (UDS-WACWISA) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) Green People’s Energy Project on Capacity Development and Curriculum Training in SPIS in Northern, Northeast, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West Regions.
The SPIS facility would support the development of the capacity of technicians, installers, agricultural extension officers, and credit officers on the use of solar-powered irrigation systems and financing modules to support the acquisition of SPIS in the five regions.
It will also empower users of solar-powered technology to improve the sustainable use of water resources for irrigation farmlands in the regions.
SPIS Facility to train other professionals
Professor Felix Kofi Abagale, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UDS, during the inauguration and handing over of the SPIS facility to the UDS at its Nyankpala Campus, said the facility would play a key role in training other professionals.
Professor Abagale, who is also Director of UDS – WACWISA, said the University hopes to expand the training to realize outcomes and results, adding that “Research, innovation, and development are a core and cardinal part of what we do, and this facility will play a vital role in research, innovation, and development going forward.”
“We are happy to continue the partnership. A plan has been developed and supported by GIZ and the Ministry of Energy. We hope that as we expand, we will always get support with funds to work in new areas that will support agricultural development.”
Professor Felix Kofi Abagale
He commended staff and various stakeholders for their commitment, which he indicated ensured the realization of the project.
Remarks from other SPIS Stakeholders
Professor Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Deputy Director of UDS- WACWISA, assured that the project’s sustainability is not in doubt as “we are already using it to train graduate students.”
Doris Akrofi, Technical Advisor, GIZ Green People’s Energy Project, on behalf of the Programme Manager of GIZ Green People’s Energy Project, commended UDS for executing the project exceeding all the requirements.
She expressed excitement that UDS has trained more than the required number of professionals, including a higher number of women beneficiaries under the project, and encouraged the University to continue training to improve agricultural production in northern Ghana.
Mr. Moses Tampoe, Project Manager at Pumptech, contractors on the project, said it has come at an opportune time to address irrigation issues for farmers in the solar-powered irrigation sector.
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