Agriculture is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, food security, and economic development. Smallholder farmers, who produce much of the nation’s staple foods, play a critical role in this sector. However, many of these farmers struggle with unreliable access to electricity, limiting their productivity and economic opportunities.
Without consistent energy access, rural communities face significant challenges, including vulnerability to economic shocks, climate change, and fluctuating fuel prices. Women and girls are particularly affected, with limited electricity impacting their health, education, and access to information. Expanding energy access for smallholder farmers offers the potential to improve agricultural productivity, increase incomes, and reduce the physical burden of farming tasks, particularly for women.
In response to these challenges, efforts have been made to explore how decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions can support agricultural value chains. Key focus areas include crops and sectors such as maize, groundnuts, tomatoes, mangoes, and fisheries, all selected for their potential to drive economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, climate adaptation, and the empowerment of women and youth. The objective is to leverage renewable energy technologies across the entire agricultural process, from cultivation and harvesting to post-harvest handling and distribution.
Data collected from surveys conducted in rural regions revealed major energy gaps, particularly in access to irrigation systems, cold storage, and post-harvest processing equipment. A significant number of farmers identified the absence of irrigation infrastructure as a major constraint on their ability to maximize yields. Additionally, a lack of proper storage facilities led to high post-harvest losses, particularly during the hotter months when crops are highly perishable.
The adoption of solar-powered solutions, such as irrigation pumps, refrigeration units, and drying systems, was identified as a key way to address these challenges. These technologies could significantly improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and open new market opportunities for farmers. Economic analysis showed that DRE technologies like solar irrigation kits, cold storage, and solar dryers could offer viable returns on investment, making them attractive options for rural farmers.
Nevertheless, several barriers hinder the widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions. High upfront costs, limited access to financing, and a general lack of awareness about the technologies present major challenges. To overcome these obstacles, there is a need for tailored business models, expanded financing mechanisms, and stronger distribution networks, especially in remote areas.
To unlock the full potential of renewable energy in agriculture, a series of recommendations have been made. Establishing collaborative platforms that bring together government bodies, development partners, private sector players, academic institutions, and financial organizations is crucial. A supportive national energy policy framework is needed to incentivize the uptake of renewable technologies. In addition, public awareness campaigns are essential to educate farmers on the available solutions and their benefits.
Capacity building will play an important role, equipping stakeholders with the technical skills and knowledge needed to deploy and maintain renewable energy systems effectively. Developing customized financing options, such as value chain finance, contract farming, and risk-sharing mechanisms, will help farmers overcome financial barriers. Quality assurance standards and consumer education initiatives can further enhance confidence in renewable technologies.
Inclusivity must be a priority, ensuring that marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, benefit from these advancements. Continued investment in research and development will drive innovation and adaptation of renewable energy technologies to local conditions.
The roadmap for implementation outlines short-term actions like feasibility studies and policy formulation, medium-term goals such as scaling pilot projects and local manufacturing, and long-term objectives like fostering climate-resilient agricultural practices and building a strong insurance market to mitigate climate risks.
With coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, renewable energy solutions could transform Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, delivering increased productivity, resilience, and prosperity for rural communities.
