Comic Relief Feasability

In 2016, with support from Comic Relief, we completed an extensive Feasibility Study examining non-working irrigation schemes.  The result is that we now have 11 detailed plans for irrigation schemes and one of these, at Tapukwa, is now has flooding water again thanks to support of the Scottish Government.  We are also supporting young farmers at several of the other schemes using Futurepump technology. Further details of these projects can be found here.

 

Future Pumps, Rent to Own Irrigation

From working with farmers on our other projects it is clear that current irrigation is non-existent, inadequate or in disrepair. As a result the farmers can only get one crop per year instead of two or even three. This inefficiency means they are losing most of their potential income. One simple solution we have for many farmers are Futurepumps. These are robust, simple, portable solar powered pumps. Each pump can irrigate half an acre of ground, with water pumped from a borehole or a river.  Providing food security and a small cash crop for a family.

We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Church of Scotland Guild for three years till 2021 and through their generous support we aim to supply hundreds of Futurepumps on a rent-to-own basis.
We have also secured funding from the United Nations Development Programme which will match fund all of our fundraising for Futurepumps over the next three years.

 

Tapukwa Irrigation

In September 2017 we received a grant from the Scottish Government to restore an irrigation scheme at Tapukwa. The project has three elements:

  • Restored irrigation schemes enabling 100 farmers to earn a living from cash crops
  • Hydro power schemes to provide electricity for lighting in homes
  • Water purification schemes to provide standpipes giving clean water to the villages.

 
Work is underway and by the end of 2019 the villagers (pop. 850) will have 27 hectares of irrigated land, low energy lighting in all their homes and all the health benefits which come from having access to clean water.  Technical assistance is coming from John Littlejohn (ex Scottish Water) and from Strathclyde University who are supporting with the hydro part of the project.