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Wellington Dengu Herald Reporter
Government has welcomed the introduction of solar powered hydro centre pivots which will boost irrigation at a time the country is facing electricity supply challenges.

The deputy director responsible for irrigation in the Ministry Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Engineer Clopas Rukuni told guests at the launch of a solar hydro-powered centre pivot at Machirori Farm last week that the innovation was a noble idea which would ensure full utilisation of the country’s irrigation capacity.

“The innovation has come at the right time because it will address a number of challenges that are being faced by our farmers,” he said. “As the department responsible for irrigation we are happy because this is cost effective and it is manufactured locally, so obviously we rule out the need for foreign currency for spare parts.

“We are also glad that Quantum Hydrology has simplified the technology as this product does not have an electric motor and other valuable components.’’Quantum Hydrology mechanical engineering director Mr Adul Mohamed said they were targeting small-scale farmers who would have water pumped from a reservoir by a 4.5 horsepower solar powered pump which could run for five hours without stopping.
“Two hectares can be watered in one and half hours,” he said.