Agriculture plays a vital role in livelihoods, food security, and economic development in South Sudan. However, farmers face challenges accessing reliable irrigation water, and the high cost of fuel and reliance on diesel-powered systems can make agricultural production expensive and hard to sustain. Expanding access to renewable energy solutions offers opportunities to improve irrigation, strengthen agricultural productivity, and support more resilient farming communities. South Sudan’s changing weather patterns also present a major challenge for farmers. Agriculture remains highly dependent on rainfall, while increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, flooding, and shifts in the timing of the rainy season can make it difficult for farmers to plan and sustain production throughout the year.

The Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAAU) project promotes the adoption of solar-powered technologies in farming and agribusiness to improve productivity, resilience, and incomes, particularly in rural and climate-vulnerable areas. The project supports year-round agricultural production, reduces dependence on costly fuel, and creates sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and youth. Through solar-powered irrigation and capacity building, SSAAU contributes to agriculture and food security, clean energy access, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth. With South Sudan as one of the pilot countries, the initiative aims to allocate solar pumps to 400 farmers, train 200 stakeholders in solar technology skills, and meet the estimated national demand for 6,800 solar water pumps.

For Kuludom Farm, a group of progressive vegetable farmers in Luri Payam, access to reliable water has transformed farming, turning persistent irrigation challenges into new opportunities for increased agricultural production. Before installing a solar-powered irrigation system through the SSAAU project, the farm faced frequent water supply challenges and delays in delivering water to its farming fields. Reliance on diesel-powered irrigation also placed a significant financial burden on its operations, making farming costly and less efficient.

Today, solar-powered irrigation is changing this experience by providing a consistent water supply and enabling the farm to irrigate its crops more efficiently. With the new system in place, Kuludom Farm now has a sufficient, continuous water supply, allowing irrigation to happen faster and more reliably. Improved water availability has supported faster seed germination and crop maturity, contributing to increased harvests. The farm can now manage irrigation more effectively, reducing delays and improving overall operations.