Rural household economies dependent on rainfed agriculture are increasingly turning to irrigation technology solutions to reduce the effects of weather variability and guard against inconsistent and low crop output. Organisations are increasingly using market-based approaches to disseminate technologies to smallholder farmers; and, although women are among their targeted group, little is known of the extent to which these approaches are reaching and benefiting women.

This report highlights two underutilized but fully implementable technologies that efficiently integrate heat and electricity systems, provide flexibility and enhance energy security. It examines what restricts co‑generation and efficient district heating and cooling systems that can help de-carbonize the energy system.

The following business Plan has been designed to provide basic information investors and financiers need in order to consider a water pumping project using renewable energy which reduces emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

This guidance document outlines the challenges experienced by the REEEP SSN project team inherent in financing and transacting RE/EE carbon projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Learnings and guidance from these experiences emphasize the development of clear and robust business plans in order to attract investors, the careful consideration and use of carbon financing to minimize transaction costs and to assist in project sustainability and promotion, and the potential that programmatic and bundling approaches hold for the region.

This report is a review of irrigation technologies for smallholders in the context of improving rural livelihoods, especially in regards to the prospects for sub-Saharan Africa. The role of traditional technologies is evaluated and modern water distribution technologies, such as sprinkler and trickle irrigation, are reviewed. Low-cost irrigation systems, including such innovations as the use of treadle pumps and drip-kits are then examined.