Climate-Smart Agriculture and Climate Resilience Expert Oliver Bulaya says the rapid expansion of solar-powered irrigation could create a new water crisis if farmers and communities gain access to pumping technology without adequate education on groundwater conservation and sustainable water use.

Dr Bulaya explained that groundwater is part of a wider hydrological system influenced by rainfall, soils, vegetation, forests, wetlands and the ability of landscapes to absorb and retain water.

He said excessive groundwater abstraction, particularly in areas where ecosystems have been degraded, can place increasing pressure on aquifers and undermine long-term water security.

Dr Bulaya said Zambia must guard against the unintended consequences of replacing expensive hydro- or fuel-powered irrigation with solar energy while leaving the management and conservation of the underlying water resource largely unaddressed.

He therefore called for water-use education to become a core component of solar irrigation programmes, rather than treating the installation of solar pumps as an end in itself.

“Farmers and communities should be supported to adopt efficient irrigation methods, schedule irrigation according to crop water requirements, improve soil health, use mulching and rainwater harvesting, and protect forests, wetlands and groundwater recharge areas,” suggested Dr Bulaya.

He said agriculture cannot be called ‘climate-smart’ simply because the pump is powered by the sun because climate-smart agriculture must also protect the natural resources on which future agricultural production depends.

Dr Bulaya stressed that trees, forests, wetlands and healthy soils should be regarded as part of Zambia’s natural water infrastructure.

He noted that when vegetation is removed and soils are degraded, surface runoff can increase while water infiltration may decline, potentially reducing groundwater recharge.

Dr Bulaya also called on the Government, farmers, traditional leaders, development partners, financial institutions, technology providers and civil society organisations to integrate groundwater management and water-conservation education into the expansion of solar-powered irrigation.

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