Project Completed: Sustainable Energy Boosts Income for Smallholder Farmers in East Africa
The SEFFA (Sustainable Energy for Smallholder Farmers) project has concluded after four years of successful implementation. Over 5,000 farmers in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda benefitted from the project that was co-financed by the IKEA Foundation.
New technologies, higher productivity, and more stable incomes: “Sustainable Energy for Smallholder Farmers” (SEFFA), which ran from 2021 to 2024 in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, demonstrated how sustainable energy solutions can profoundly change the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. More than 5,400 smallholder farmers are now reaping the benefits of solar energy systems. They are increasing farm productivity, securing their harvests, boosting their incomes, and making a valuable contribution to climate protection. The project was co-financed by the IKEA Foundation and implemented by GIZ, SNV and RVO as part of the multi-donor partnership Energising Development (EnDev).
Innovative Energy Solutions for the Daily Challenges in Farming
The daily lives of many smallholder farmers in East Africa are fraught with numerous challenges: unreliable rains, high costs of irrigation, crop losses due to unfavourable weather conditions, and time-consuming manual tasks such as milking make farming difficult. These problems can be solved with modern technologies and equipment – but they require a reliable and affordable energy source. For instance, petrol-powered water pumps are too expensive to run in the long term and often break down.
“SEFFA” project provided farmers with access to sustainable and affordable technologies such as solar-powered water pumps, solar milk coolers and solar dryers. These technologies reduce energy costs and improve product quality and shelf life, making smallholder farming economically viable and friendly to the environment. Innovative financing models, such as “Pay-as-you-go”, enabled farmers to use the technologies without having to make large upfront investments.
SEFFA in Numbers: How Many Farmers Benefitted?
- 5,455 smallholder farmers are now using sustainable energy solutions and benefiting from more stable yields.
- 21 companies offer specifically developed solar technologies for agricultural applications, six of which are financial intermediaries.
- 1.5 million people have been reached through training and awareness-raising activities.
- 33% of the farmers and entrepreneurs supported by the project were women and youth.
Scaling up Promising Energy Solutions to Larger Markets
The close collaboration with local businesses and agricultural stakeholders was a key factor in the project’s success. “SEFFA” helped these partners to develop and trial viable business models to sustainably provide and maintain technologies such as solar drying, solar-powered cooling systems, and solar powered irrigation. For example, the project launched an innovation fund to facilitate pilots of innovative and promising business ideas.
Samwel Naimasia coordinates “SEFFA” across the three countries. He explains: “Technologies are only successful in the long term if we build local capacities. By working closely with companies, we can help them further develop sustainable energy applications and scale them to larger markets.” One such company is Ntakye Holding Limited in Uganda. The company designed and introduced solar-powered milking machines that increased milk production by up to 12% while simultaneously increasing quality and staff efficiency.
To ensure the long-term use of these technologies, “SEFFA” trained over 500 technicians, farmers, and consultants. Like this they become specialists in maintaining and operating the acquired solar systems long after the project’s conclusion.
Success Stories from Smallholder Farmers in Uganda
Sustainable Agriculture: A Promising Model for the Future
“SEFFA” not only directly supports smallholder farmers but also contributes significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy replaces fossil fuels, thereby protecting the environment – while also strengthening the resilience of communities against the impacts of climate change.
The combination of energy innovation, knowledge building, and local entrepreneurship shows how development can be designed sustainably. Samwel Naimasia is convinced: “Solar energy has the potential to sustainably transform agriculture in East Africa – for higher yields, increased income, and a climate-friendly future.”
