Moshi, TZ – Grow-own-Breakfast program takes first step towards a sustainable irrigation system – 31 Jan 2022

Kahe primary school is taking a first step towards finding a more sustainable irrigation system during this current long drought season in East Africa. This initiative is a key factor for the sustainability of the school’s feeding program during these days of unpredictable climate conditions, which include some long and severe droughts.

Children, teachers and parents have been struggling with the high cost of fuel needed to run their petrol engine powered water pumps, which are critical for harvesting of breakfast ingredients at the school. The high running cost of the current petrol engine powered system, and the need to move the pump and pipes every day from the over night secure storage room to the farm make it both a money and time consuming daily operation.

Tupendane is assessing solution options for this sustainability challenge. One option is a solar pumping system which has a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) because it will significantly reduce daily operating costs. Ideally, the children will just press the button and a raised water tank will be filled with water so that it can supply a steady flow of water for watering the vegetable gardens and corn / bean fields.

The need for a solution is urgent because of the twin challenges of climate change coupled with rising fuel costs are threatening the sustainability of the children’s Grow-own-Breakfast program. The Tupendane team believe that a solution will not only assist the program to become more sustainable by reducing operating costs, but will enable them to use the saved money at other schools where they can assist more children to eat breakfast and so improve their health and education.