Dear friend,
As rising temperatures pose new challenges, farmers in Senegal are connecting to solar-powered energy to improve their livelihoods and create a better future.
Mouhamadou Dabo owns a banana farm and leads a local farming collective consisting of 23 agricultural workers. Today we share his story and how Mercy Corps’ work has transformed his farm and his community.
Mouhamadou stands next to the solar grid that powers the water pump at his banana farm.
Mouhamadou, 54, has worked on the same farm since he was twelve — working the land to harvest a consistent yield of banana crops that the community uses to generate income. However, banana trees require a lot of water to flourish, and as temperatures continue to rise in the area, the farm requires more water to sustain its yield.
As a result, Mouhamadou had to use a diesel generator to pump water from the nearby river, which was expensive in fuel consumption and inefficient since the pump had to be shut off for hours during the day to avoid overheating.
In 2022, Mercy Corps installed a solar-powered pump to replace their diesel generator and made a crucial impact on his farm. Here are a few ways this new equipment made a drastic difference in Mouhamadou’s life:
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It allowed him to save close to $2,500 in fuel costs per year, which helps him meet his family’s needs. |
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It also helped him invest more money into his farm, covering maintenance and production costs for better crops. |
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Lastly, he and his coworkers no longer had to worry about generator burnout and could supply more water to their crops. |
"You can see that the banana trees are flourishing, but I want the farm to be lusher. I want more water so that the farm can thrive further, as bananas are a crop that always brings in money." says Mouhamadou.
With support from people like you, Mercy Corps is able to support farmers like Mouhamadou and communities facing incredible challenges to earn a living. Thank you for being part of our community.
Watch a short video from one of our team members about how solar power is changing farmers’ lives in Senegal.
Sincerely,
— The Mercy Corps team
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