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SoLAR
Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience
Issue No. 16: Apr–June 2024 |
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Key Highlights
Global Science-Policy Forum: Socially Inclusive Solar Irrigation System
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The Global Conference on Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience in South Asia was a significant event that brought together over 200 participants from 20 countries. The conference highlighted the potential of solar irrigation to transform agricultural practices and enhance climate resilience in South Asia. Attendees included policymakers, researchers, and practitioners who shared insights and strategies for promoting sustainable and inclusive solar irrigation practices
To learn more, click here> |
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Left- Hon'ble Minister, Mr. Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation, Nepal
Right- Alok Sikka (IWMI India) and Manohara Khadka (IWMI Nepal) welcoming Nawa Raj (CEO of AEPC) |
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Left- Hear from Divya Sharma, Deputy Head of Cooperation, as she shares how this three-day SoLAR global forum, in Kathmandu, Nepal, would benefit the participants.
Right- Darshini Ravindranath, Project Lead-SoLAR (IWMI) Photo credit: IWMI |
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(Photo: IWMI)
On 7th June 2024, the Ballroom at Shangri-La, Bengaluru, Karnataka, hosted the National Conclave on PM KUSUM, organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The event was held in collaboration with the State Government of Karnataka and esteemed partners, including the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), International Institute for Sustainable Development, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy, NSEFI - National Solar Energy Federation of India, and SDC.
From the team, Darshini and Deepak participated in this workshop.
To learn more, click here>
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SETI 2024 Annual Workshop, titled "Can Fee for Service Model for Micro Solar Irrigation Pumps Be Scalable and Sustainable?" was held on June 18, 2024. Shisher Shrestha led the discussion, focusing on policy research related to energy for development. The workshop explored the potential for scalability and sustainability of a fee-for-service model for micro solar irrigation pumps.
To learn more, click here>
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IWMI Pakistan SoLAR Team Engages with World Bank and OFWM, Hosts Science Forum
(Photo: IWMI)
On June 6th, 2024, the IWMI Pakistan SoLAR team, along with colleagues from IWMI, attended a meeting with World Bank officials and the On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) Department, Government of Punjab. The meeting provided updates on the PRIAT initiative and included a briefing on M. Zain Akbar's field visit from June 1st to June 4th, 2024. During this visit, a paper-based survey was conducted with 24 farmers owning tubewells, collecting data on irrigation practices, cropping patterns, and water quality for both the Rabi and Kharif seasons.
Additionally, from May 6th to May 9th, 2024, IWMI Pakistan organized a Science Forum that featured team-building activities and strategic discussion sessions. The SoLAR team in Pakistan presented comprehensive insights into the SDC's SoLAR-SA project objectives, progress, and achievements to date.
To learn more, click here>
Strategic discussions by IWMI Pakistan with Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering (CEWRE)
(Photo: IWMI)
The SoLAR team and other IWMI Pakistan members met with officials from the Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering (CEWRE) at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in Lahore on May 10th, 2024. They were given an overview of IWMI Pakistan and its project portfolio, which included SDC's SoLAR-SA efforts in Pakistan. The officials expressed interest in partnering with IWMI on research and development initiatives.
To learn more, click here> |
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(Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri / IWMI)
From June 3rd to 11th, 2024, a comprehensive study was conducted in Bangladesh as part of the GESI and SoLAR initiatives, focusing on solar-powered irrigation pumps (SIPs) to bridge gender disparities in energy access. This study involved 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across Khulna, Jessore, Barishal, and Bogura, engaging 50 farmers to understand adoption barriers among marginal and women farmers.
To learn more, click here>
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(Photo: IWMI)
Solar pump was inaugurated by Alok Sikka at Chimkatola, Narayanganj, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India as a part of SDC-SoLAR project and Agroecology initiative. SIP (Solar Irrigation Pump) has been installed in the village, where 13 female farmers have formed a Water User Group (WUG) to operate the system. The SIP covers approximately 27 acres and will be used to adopt and scale the integrated farming system model. This initiative will enable women farmers to grow vegetables and cash crops during the rabi and summer seasons.
To learn more, click here>
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(Photo: IWMI)
From June 24-26, 2024, a 3-day training was organized in Churu, Rajasthan, to collect data for the study "Adoption and Impact of Solar Irrigation Pumps (SIPs) on Small, marginal, and women farmers: A Case of PM KUSUM B in Rajasthan". Separate FGDs were conducted with both female and male enumerators to address the challenges faced by female enumerators in the field and how the engagement with female respondents can be enhanced by increasing the number of female enumerators in research for better data quality.
To learn more, click here> |
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(Photo: IWMI)
From June 17-21, 2024, researchers from Nepal including Shisher visited Bihar to observe water entrepreneurship model with solar irrigations that could be replicated in Nepal.
To learn more, click here>
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What is your role in the project?
I currently serve as the Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion Consultant based out of IWMI, Delhi. I look after the GESI work in India and Bangladesh...
Read full Interview >>
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Mr.Aklavya Sharan
Director DECENTRALISED ENERGY SYSTEMS (I)
(DESI Power)
IWMI – Delhi
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What is your role in the project?
My role is to monitor the progress of projects undertaken by IF Grantee under the SDC SoLAR project by visiting sites interaction with stakeholders including communities to understand ground situation, and reviewing the technical and financial reports to consolidate the findings..
Read full Interview >>
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Experts call for collaboration among countries for socially inclusive Solar Irrigation systems
economictimes.com
Read here >> |
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Three-day global science-policy forum: Socially inclusive solar irrigation systems
Minute Mirror Special
Read here >>
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We thank
Aklavya Sharan, Alok Sikka, Angel Konthoujam, Archisman Mitra, Azeem Ali Shah, Darshini Ravindranath, Deepak Varshney, Novaira Junaid, Shisher Shrestha, and Tripti Agarwal for contributing to this newsletter. |
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We thank Aariz Raza IWMI India, for providing overall technical support in bringing this newsletter out.
For further information, please get in touch with our Communications Team, SoLAR Project, IWMI at iwmi-solar@cgiar.org
Images courtesy: IWMI -SDC-SoLAR Project
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