The adverse effects of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa have made thoughts about better agricultural practices more relevant than ever. Over the decades, huge changes in precipitation have caused this region’s countries to become net food distributors, meaning they consume more food than they export. As per the African Development Bank of the AFDB, Africa expended USD64.5 billion on food imports in 2015. This figure is expected to increase to USD110 billion by 2025 if no action is taken. Rice, cattle, soybeans, sugar, and wheat are only a few of the crops that can be grown on the continent.
While Europe remains Africa’s most significant agricultural trading partner, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lower consumption due to financial challenges and constraints and spending patterns changes. As a result, decentralized clean energy deployment is becoming a critical component of Africa’s efforts to develop resilience, scale agriculture, and boost food production.
To achieve better yields within the current climate change conditions, farmers need solar water tanks, pumps and piping, irrigation, biogas technologies, and agrophotovoltaic, also known as APV projects. One might argue that these policies will start from the ground up to create a more equitable and prosperous economy, but putting them into action raises a slew of issues.
Not to be outsmarted in the renewables and agribusiness sphere, South African farmers now have access to affordable solar energy thanks to a collaboration between a renewable energy company, Jaguar New Energies, as well as a Dutch government-backed fund. The renewable energy fund would cover the costs of installation, allowing farmers to access cheaper, cleaner energy while transitioning to a more secure and sustainable power source.
South African corn production is expected to be much more than 30% higher in 2020 than in previous years as a result of these significant green energy rollouts.
According to Wang’oe of Jumeme, developing countries must take several steps to establish and enforce policies that will speed up renewable energy deployment in the agricultural industry. Decentralization of power generation and distribution systems, tax incentives for farmers who would use renewable energy in agricultural development cycles, and carbon credits for farmers who utilize renewable energy sources to operate their farms are among these measures.