Business

Problem

Nigerian agriculture remains heavily dependent on rainfall and expensive fossil fuel-powered irrigation, limiting year-round production and exposing smallholder farmers to climate variability. High fuel costs and limited access to affordable irrigation technology reduce productivity, increase production costs and constrain farm incomes.

Solution

Nimsy Agro Solar Concept designs and deploys portable solar-powered irrigation systems with foldable solar panels tailored to smallholder farmers. The solution provides affordable, reliable and clean irrigation that reduces dependence on diesel, lowers production costs, enables multiple planting seasons, and strengthens farmers' resilience to climate change while improving agricultural productivity.

Impact

Nimsy Agro Solar Concept cuts GHG emissions in Nigeria's agriculture sector by enabling farmers to pump irrigation water with clean solar energy instead of diesel. Since the 2023 fuel subsidy removal, this switch also yields significant savings in production costs. Prior to adopting its solar-powered pumps, 60% of Nimsy Agro's customers practiced rainfed farming and were affected by the erratic rainfall and drought spells that marked the main growing season. Now, they are able to engage in year-round farming and better adapt to climate change through supplemental irrigation. By recruiting and training local youths, including women, as after-sales support agents for its pumps, Nimsy Agro also curbs rural unemployment and strengthens local economies.