Unlocking irrigation’s potential through alternatives to equipment ownership
Each story in our recent Irrigation as a Service Entrepreneur Series shows the power of innovative solutions in addressing critical agricultural challenges faced by smallholder farmers across the globe. This 10-part series, featuring the inspiring journeys of eight entrepreneurs, has showcased how Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) is redefining access to essential irrigation, fostering resilience and driving economic growth for smallholder farmers.
Not only have the narratives focused on the use of technology or equipment; they are also case studies in entrepreneurial resilience, market-responsive adaptation, regional and hyper-local specialization and the economic principle that reliable water access is necessary for agricultural stability. Through DWFI’s efforts to bring these founders together, we are helping to build the learning network and business ecosystem required to scale and support viable IaaS solutions for smallholder farmers.
Key Findings from the Series:
1. Addressing critical farmer needs:
- Entrepreneurs are tackling fundamental issues like unpredictable weather, crop loss and the high upfront costs of irrigation equipment that often hinder smallholder farmers – those who farm less than 2 hectares (5 acres) of land.
- Their focus is on making irrigation affordable and accessible, particularly during dry seasons when market prices are highest and the climate can support an additional growing season, thereby increasing farmer income and stabilizing yields.
2. Diverse and innovative IaaS models:
- The series highlighted a spectrum of creative IaaS approaches, demonstrating adaptability to local contexts. These included:
- Shared economy platforms: Companies like Agrishare connect farmers with shared agricultural equipment, reducing individual ownership burdens.
- Pay-per-use services: Agriworks Uganda leverages the local motorcycle (boda boda) network to deliver irrigation services through a “pay-per-use” model. Similarly, Pumptech offers "pay-as-you-go" options to overcome upfront cost barriers and Stable Foods uses a monthly subscription service to provide services.
- Precision irrigation technology: cultYvate developed low-cost sensor systems for precise soil moisture monitoring and irrigation scheduling, optimizing water use for various crops.
- Solar-powered or alternative energy solutions: ennos ag manufactures solar pumps for its irrigation systems so farmers can avoid the high costs of fuel. One Acre Fund’s venture studio uses battery-powered irrigation with the flexibility to charge using both solar and grid electricity, ensuring reliable irrigation, even during power outages or cloudy weather.
- Integrated models and paired technologies: One Acre Fund’s venture studio integrates battery-powered irrigation with existing farmer credit programs, making clean and affordable energy sources accessible. Stable Foods supplies irrigation water, agricultural inputs and marketing services to farmers. ennos ag integrates remote monitoring technology directly into its control system, eliminating extra costs and complexity for distributors and farmers.
3. Emphasis on local context and adaptability:
A recurring theme is the critical role of understanding local context, unit economics and financial strategies in developing sustainable IaaS models.
Entrepreneurs are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, building tailored, service-based models that transform regions.
4. Technology as an enabler for affordability and reach:
Technological innovations, such as low-cost sensors (cultYvate), integrated remote monitoring in solar pumps (ennos ag) and battery-powered irrigation systems (One Acre Fund’s venture studio), are crucial for making advanced irrigation solutions affordable and scalable.
The strategic use of existing infrastructure, like Uganda's motorcycle network (Agriworks Uganda) and local entrepreneur network (Agrirain), demonstrates clever approaches to last-mile delivery.
5. Impact on livelihoods and food security:
The ultimate goal of these IaaS ventures is to increase agricultural income, secure better livelihoods and enhance resilience for smallholder farmers.
By providing reliable water access, IaaS models contribute significantly to improving agricultural productivity and food security in the Global South.
The Irrigation as a Service Entrepreneur Series has painted a vivid picture of innovation and dedication in the face of global agricultural challenges. The eight entrepreneurs featured are not just building companies; they are cultivating a future where access to irrigation is no longer a barrier but a catalyst for prosperity. Their stories demonstrate how IaaS expands access to vital irrigation, building livelihood resilience for farmers while contributing to global food security. The insights gleaned from their experiences will undoubtedly shape future research and initiatives both at DWFI and with our partners, unlocking the full potential of IaaS.
If you missed any of our entrepreneur stories in this series, you can find a summary of each below and click in to view their full story:
Agrishare's shared economy platform connects farmers who own equipment with those who need it, increasing access to and affordability of agricultural equipment without the need for significant capital investment. By facilitating the sharing of underutilized equipment, Agri Share both benefits farmers and optimizes the use of community agricultural resources.
Agriworks Uganda leverages the local motorcycle (boda boda) network to deliver irrigation services through a “pay-per-use” model, making water access more affordable and accessible for smallholder farmers.
cultYvate uses a low-cost sensor system to help farmers precisely monitor soil moisture and schedule irrigation.
ennos ag’s solar pumping system integrates remote monitoring technology directly into its control system, eliminating extra costs and complexity for distributors and farmers.
One Acre Fund’s venture studio offers mobile, battery-powered irrigation systems integrated with One Acre Fund’s existing farmer credit programs.
Pumptech prioritizes maintenance and after-sales service of its small-scale irrigation solutions and offers a "pay-as-you-go" option to significantly increase access to irrigation.
Through a monthly subscription, Stable Foods supplies irrigation water, agricultural inputs, and marketing services to farmers.
Agrirain uses a specially designed hose reel traveler irrigation system and local entrepreneurs to provide supplemental water on a per-acre-millimeter basis. This approach removes the burden of high upfront costs and maintenance for small farmers in India, enabling Agrirain to reach markets its larger competitors cannot.
