GrowFast – the pay-as-you-go solar irrigation solution from Azuri Technologies – has been named a winner of the Uganda renewable energy fund, launched by the UN CleanStart programme and Embassy of Sweden.

 

More than 200,000 people across Uganda are set to benefit from the energy fund and clean energy solutions such as Azuri’s GrowFast solar irrigation system.

 

GrowFast from Azuri offers farmers an innovative and affordable pay-as-you-go solar irrigation bundle that includes a smartphone with GrowFast app, as well as crop insurance cover. 

 

Keeping crops watered all year

 

Conventional farming that relies only on rainfall for irrigation limits the quantity and type of crops that can be grown each year. In contrast, the solar-powered irrigation system is designed to improve productivity, income generation, and living standards of small-holder farmers by enabling farmers to keep their crops watered all year long.

 

Azuri’s customised pay-as-you-go plan allows farmers to pay for their solar out of the increased profits from additional harvests. Azuri GrowFast comes with insurance cover in the event of unexpected crop loss.

 

Boosting Uganda’s economic backbone

 

Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy, employing roughly 70 per cent of the population, and contributing half of the country’s export earnings. 

 

“Solar powered irrigation is helping increase harvests, improve farming practices and is raising agriculture incomes, which, in turn boosts farming incomes and creates new jobs,” explained Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Azuri Technologies.

 

“I am delighted that Azuri GrowFast has been named as a winner of the UN CleanStart fund and we look forward to supporting local farmers in Uganda to increase productivity and household income.” 

 

Combining the latest solar innovation and mobile payment technology, Azuri specialises in a range of innovative solar home solutions, not only solar irrigation, but also complete solar home lighting systems and solar satellite TV – all made affordable through a pay-as-you-go service and presenting a game-changer for customers who live away from mains power. 

 

Azuri already delivers renewable, distributed power to the millions who have no access to modern powered services. The firm today operates in five key territories; Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda.