Story by Tendai Munengwa
ZIMBABWE’S smart technology and green energy agenda is gaining momentum, with more farmers adopting solar power solutions to cut production costs and improve agricultural efficiency.
With abundant sunshine throughout the year, Zimbabwe offers favourable conditions for harnessing renewable energy. At Ganye Farm in Beatrice, farmer Mr Solomon Ganye has installed a 150-kilovolt solar plant that now powers all farming operations.
“We used to consume between 8 000 and 10 000 litres of diesel. With the solar system, we are now operating day and night on 100 percent solar power, which is significantly cheaper,” Mr Ganye said.
Similar developments are evident at Pakombe Farm in Mashonaland West Province, where a 150-kilovolt solar plant has also been installed, resulting in improved productivity and reduced operational costs.
Farm owner Mr Tawanda Pasipanodya said the decision to invest in renewable energy was guided by national policy direction.
“In line with the President’s mantra on renewable energy, we decided to install solar power. The system now runs all our farming activities, including irrigation and curing barns. It is efficient and has helped us cut costs,” he said.
Engineers and farm managers involved in the projects say the shift to solar energy has enhanced operational sustainability, reduced dependence on fossil fuels and ensured reliable power supply for critical agricultural processes.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in his State of the Nation Address last year, underscored the importance of embracing clean and renewable energy sources across all sectors of the economy.
He said widespread adoption of solar energy by the farming community and other sectors would play a key role in driving sustainable development and supporting Zimbabwe’s goal of attaining Upper Middle-Income Society status by 2030.
The growing use of solar power in agriculture is increasingly positioning Zimbabwe’s farming sector as a key contributor to climate-smart development and long-term economic resilience.
