Irrigation water pump technology launched in Accra

By Josephine Naaeke, GNA
Accra, Sept. 1, GNA - A new manually operated irrigation water pump known as 'Money Maker Irrigation Pump' for small holder farmers has been launched in Accra.

The machine, which is designed to help farmers irrigate their farms all year round, has the potential to transform the agriculture sector in Ghana.

The machine is designed by KickStart International, a non-profit social enterprise with a mission to lift millions of people in Africa out of poverty quickly, cost effectively and sustainably.

The machine is in two designs, a money maker max pump with two cylinders, foot operated, and ergonomically designed to pump three to 20 litre jerri cans of water per minute, whilst the other, money maker hip pump, a low cost-lightweight solution, pumps two to 20 litre Jerri cans of water per minute.

Mr Alexander Anim, the Regional Head of KickStart International, West Africa, said the technology was used mainly in the northern part of Ghana and it was helping farmers to move away from rain-fed agriculture to usstained farming activities all year round.

He said this made it possible during the dry season where farmers could still be engaged in farming to feed the populace.

Mr Anim called on farmers to embrace the technology as it would ensure that food is available all year round which would also increase revenue and reduce poverty.

Mr Kwasi Asare Mintah, the Director of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ghana Irrigation Authority, said Ghana had an irrigable potential of 1.9 million hectares but only 221,000 hectares had been developed by both public and private sectors.

Alhaji Mohammed Limuna Muniru, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, commended Kickstart International for introducing this cost-effective technology to smallholder farmers.

He said investing in agriculture was the most effective way to end hunger, improve nutrition, and drive economic growth.

'I am already aware KickStart International is working with farmers in sub Saharan Africa and they have, to a larger extent, assisted many farmers to make farming a viable, profitable business through irrigation.

This has brought extra income to the farmers and majority have changed their lives for the better, educating their children, getting better healthcare, and empowering women and the youth to start profitable farming enterprises,' the Minister said.

Alhaji Limuna said the success stories of farmers in other regions of Africa were a testimony that farmers in Ghana could also improve their livelihood using the Money Maker irrigation pumps.

'The technology does not need electricity. It is simple to use and affordable, thereby making the pumps user friendly, adaptable and convenient for farmers in Ghana,' he said.

This would go a long way to solve the problem of food insecurity and difficult economic times in the country, the Minister said.

KickStart focuses on its efforts in 16 countries in Africa and works through regional hubs in West Africa (Ghana), East Africa (Kenya) and Southern Africa (Zambia).

One Money Maker max pump costs Gh₵660.00.
GNA