For thousands of farmers across Nepal, agriculture depends on one unpredictable factor: “water”. Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, drying water sources, and the rising cost of diesel-powered pumps continue to threaten agricultural productivity and food security.
To address these challenges, Gham Power, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Nepal, installed nine Solar Water Pump Systems (SWPS) across Bardiya, Rautahat, and Saptari. Just four to six months after installation, a midline survey of all nine beneficiary farmers revealed how access to reliable solar-powered irrigation is already improving livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience.
While the project currently covers only nine farmers, the results demonstrate how solar irrigation systems can create meaningful economic, agricultural, and social impact, offering valuable insights for scaling clean energy solutions across rural Nepal.
Reliable Water is Reaching Farms When They Need it Most
Reliable access to irrigation is the foundation of productive farming. Before the solar systems became fully operational, only 77.8% of farmers reported having sufficient water for irrigation. Within just a few months, that number increased to 100%. Every farmer surveyed reported that the solar water pumps now provide enough water to meet their irrigation needs throughout the growing season. More importantly, farmers said irrigation has become predictable and dependable, allowing them to plan their farming activities with greater confidence instead of worrying about water shortages or fluctuating fuel costs.
Lower Irrigation Costs are Improving Farm Economics
One of the fastest and most visible benefits of solar water pumps has been the reduction in irrigation expenses. Every farmer surveyed reported lower irrigation costs after switching to solar-powered irrigation. Most farmers are now saving NPR 1,000-3,000 every month, primarily because they no longer rely on expensive diesel pumps for irrigation. These savings allow households to invest more in seeds, fertilizers, crop management, and other productive farming activities rather than spending money on fuel.
Farmers are Planning to Expand their Farms
Reliable irrigation is giving farmers the confidence to think beyond their current production. The survey found that 100% of farmers plan to expand their cultivated land next season, which represents a significant increase from 44.4% immediately after installation. Although only one-third of farmers have physically expanded their cultivated area so far, this is expected because the systems have only been operational for four to six months. As future cropping seasons begin, larger land expansion is expected. Reliable water doesn’t simply improve today’s harvest. It changes how farmers plan for tomorrow.
Crop Diversification is Creating New Opportunities
Water availability often determines what crops farmers can grow. Reliable irrigation has given farmers the confidence to grow a wider variety of crops throughout the year. All surveyed farmers reported that they are either already cultivating or planning to cultivate vegetables, potatoes, onions, paddy, maize, cereals, fruits, and other cash crops. Diversifying crops not only reduces climate-related risks but also creates opportunities to increase farm income by producing higher-value crops.
Farm Incomes are Showing Early Growth
Although the project is still in its early stages, the economic benefits are already becoming visible. The survey found that 67% of farmers reported increased farm income, while the remaining farmers expect income improvements over the coming cropping cycles. Agricultural income generally takes time to improve because changes in cropping patterns and yields occur gradually. Even so, the early results indicate that reliable irrigation is already contributing to stronger farm performance.
Women are Becoming More Involved in Farming
Solar-powered irrigation is also reducing the physical burden of water management. Nearly 89% of farmers reported increased involvement of women in farming activities following the installation of solar water pumps. With irrigation becoming easier and more reliable, women have more opportunities to participate in crop management and other productive agricultural tasks. This demonstrates that renewable energy solutions can contribute not only to agricultural productivity but also to greater gender inclusion in rural communities.
Digital Agriculture is Growing Alongside Solar Irrigation
An unexpected outcome of the project has been the rapid adoption of digital agricultural tools. 71% of farmers are using the Super Krishak App for irrigation scheduling, crop advisory services, agricultural decision-making, a better understanding of crop water requirements, and crop disease management. By combining solar-powered irrigation with digital advisory services, farmers are making more informed decisions that improve both water management and farm productivity. This integrated approach shows how clean energy and digital agriculture can work together to build climate-smart farming systems.
Farmers are Embracing Solar Pumps with Confidence
The strongest measure of the project’s success comes directly from the farmers themselves. All the farmers surveyed said they would recommend solar water pumps to other farmers, reflecting their confidence in the service and its benefits. Farmers gave the solar systems an average satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5, with no significant technical issues reported during the survey period. Early operational challenges had already been resolved by the time of the survey, resulting in fully functioning systems across all project sites.
Building a More Climate-Resilient Nepal Through Solar Irrigation
The success of these nine installations in Bardiya, Rautahat, and Saptari demonstrates the transformative potential of renewable energy in agriculture. While longer-term monitoring will continue to measure impacts on yields and household incomes, the early evidence is already clear: reliable solar irrigation is helping farmers reduce costs, increase confidence, and prepare for a more resilient future. Scaling similar solar water pump projects across drought-prone regions of Nepal could enable many more farming communities to improve water security, adopt climate-smart agriculture, and build sustainable livelihoods powered by clean energy.
Contributed by – Akriti Timilsena, Marketing Assistant