International Forum on Solar Technologies for Small-scale Agriculture and Water Management
The International Forum on “Solar Technologies for Small-Scale Agriculture and Water Management” was organized by FAO, together with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the “Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems” (WLE) and “Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development” (PAEGC).
The Forum reviewed the existing solar technologies and their application in different countries and will analyze the needs and opportunities for sustainable rural development. It also presented the tools developed by FAO and its partners to enhance the use of solar technologies. It engaged participants in a debate and established a community of practice on solar technologies in small-scale agriculture and water management.
The Forum was aimed at representatives from governments, international organizations, NGOs, research institutes, financial institutions and private companies from the water, energy, agriculture and rural development sectors.
A strong focus was placed on solar-powered irrigation technologies, though solar desalinisation and other agricultural applications of solar technologies was also covered. The Forum was organized around four main themes:
INNOVATIVE FINANCE, INVESTMENT AND BUSINESS MODELS
How can solar technologies become more economically accessible for small-scale farmers?
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
What is needed to build the capacities and knowledge to use the available solar technologies?
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RISKS
How can water risks related to solar technologies be addressed? How can these technologies actually contribute to making water management more sustainable?
ENABLING ENVIRONMENT
What can governments do to promote solar technologies, and at the same time, manage the risks? What role do suppliers and service providers play in this?