Renewable Energy for Agriculture Project (GEF)

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The Renewable Energy for Agriculture Project will provide electricity supply in rural areas for productive purposes, in a sustainable manner, through renewable energy technologies. It will support productive investments, and improved farming practices, and will further improve the ability of the Trust Fund for Shared Risk (FIRCO), in the transformation of those technologies, for the benefit of the agriculture sector. The components include: a) a promotion campaign targeting renewable energy for agricultural productive purposes, and, training to technicians, agricultural extension experts, and energy system vendors, will be provided. Technical specifications and certification procedures will be introduced for farm-based energy equipment, and market studies will focus on the potential for agricultural applications; b) installation of solar and wind-powered water pumping systems, and solar-powered refrigerated milk storage tanks, for participating farmers as demonstration units; c) technical assistance, which will be provided by renewable energy-trained agricultural extension experts, to advise farmers on the new energy operation procedures; d) a pilot program will test innovative vendor financing mechanisms for farm-based energy systems in four states; and, e) project management will be implemented and coordinated by FIRCO.