World Resources Institute 147d ago

For years, farmers in Berbere Woreda in southeastern Ethiopia lived hand to mouth — not because water was scarce, but because they didn't have access to a reliable, affordable energy source. Although nearby rivers flowed year-round, the lack of power meant they couldn’t pump water to their fields. As a result, most families harvested only once a year, producing barely enough to feed themselves. Today, that story is changing. With technical support from WRI and DanChurchAid, and funding from the IKEA Foundation, farmers now have access to solar-powered irrigation. This clean, reliable energy is enabling them to grow crops three to four times a year — transforming agriculture from a struggle for survival into a pathway to prosperity. For the first time, farmers are earning income, planning for the future, and building resilience for their families and communities. This is their story.