Agriculture is a critical sector in Zimbabwe, accounting for between 11% and 14% of the country’s gross domestic product. The sector employs 53% of the workforce and supports the livelihoods and food security of 70% of the population. Smallholder agricultural operations, typically managed by a single family or individuals, produce 70% of staple foods. However, most of these farmers have no access to electricity, with only 12% connected to the grid.
Without energy security, rural communities are increasingly vulnerable to global shocks, climate change and rising fuel prices, severely restricting their economic opportunities. Improving energy access for smallholder farmers has the potential to significantly enhance their productivity, yields and opportunity for value addition. Reliable electricity can also facilitate the adoption of farming equipment, reducing the need for manual labour and freeing up time for other essential social and economic activities.
Findings from the report identify critical energy gaps, such as limited access to water pumps, cold storage and post-harvest processing equipment. For example, the lack of access to irrigation pumps was identified by 75% of farmers as the biggest limitation on productivity. Additionally, 75% of farmers lack proper storage facilities, leading to significant post-harvest losses, particularly during the hot season, with some losses reaching as high as 50%.
Addressing these issues through solar-powered irrigation, refrigeration and drying solutions could substantially increase productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. The potential addressable market for these commercially ready DRE solutions is estimated at USD 7.1 billion for solar-powered irrigation kits, targeting an upper scenario of 2 million hectares as per government plans. The economics of the DRE solutions are positive, with payback periods between one year and six years.
Access the report here
