News Successful continuation of our training programme on solar irrigation in the central region of Togo

This year, a total of four practical training courses on solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS – Solar Powered Irrigation Systems) were held at the Centre de Promotion des Initiatives Agricoles (CPIA) in Koboyo. The aim of the programme is to support farmers, nursery operators and young agri-entrepreneurs in developing specialist knowledge of modern and sustainable irrigation technologies.

A key factor in the training programme’s success is the sustainable development of local expertise. As part of the GIZ proEnergie project, the CPIA team received comprehensive training on solar-powered irrigation systems. Today, these experts independently pass on this knowledge to agricultural stakeholders in the Centrale region, thereby helping to embed innovative and sustainable irrigation solutions in the region for the long term.

The high demand for the training courses highlights the growing need for sustainable solutions in agriculture. In the face of increasing climate change, erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells, many farms are looking for ways to make their production more resilient and to use water and energy resources more efficiently.

The training courses provided participants with comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge on the key aspects of solar-powered irrigation systems. The training content included, amongst other things:

 

• Fundamentals and operation of solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS)
• Various irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation, sprinkler systems and perforated irrigation tapesInstallation, maintenance and fault diagnosis of the systems

 

• Data collection and assessment of the economic viability of agricultural holdings
  
  
• Fundamentals for accessing agricultural finance

Particular emphasis was placed on practical application. Through practical exercises on the CPIA’s existing irrigation systems, participants were able to immediately put what they had learnt into practice, familiarise themselves with technical components and carry out maintenance and repair work independently.

With these four training courses, the Urbis Foundation is making an important contribution to strengthening sustainable agriculture in Togo. This hands-on knowledge transfer enables participants to use modern irrigation technologies independently and to make their farms more climate-resilient and economically viable in the long term.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the CPIA team, the trainers and all participants for their tremendous commitment. Together, we are laying the foundations for sustainable agriculture and the responsible use of renewable energy in Togo.