A jointly-financed solar irrigation pilot, co-managed with Tulima Solar and the Hunger Project, has reached its first 40 member households across the Acholi and Lango sub-regions. The pilot pairs a small-format DC submersible pump with a 200 W solar panel and a basic distribution kit, sized for half-acre to two-acre vegetable plots.
The pilot is structured around three commitments:
- Member contribution. Members put down 25 % of the unit cost from group savings, repaid against an internal loan schedule.
- Cooperative subsidy. A revolving subsidy from the cooperative covers another 25 %, with the same loan recovered into the revolving line.
- Partner contribution. Tulima Solar contributes hardware at member rate; the Hunger Project covers field training and the first round of agronomy follow-up.
Forty units in. The first round of harvests has gone out to local markets in Gulu, Lira and Pakwach, with three groups already exporting okra and tomato to Kampala buyers.
The second wave of the pilot is being prepared for Karamoja and West Nile. Interested farmer groups should reach their nearest field office or contact the secretariat through the contact form.