In a ground-breaking achievement, two University of Malawi students have developed an innovative Auto Solar-Powered Irrigation System to transform farm productivity and sustainability.
Geoffrey Solomon, Wilfred Kwauma, and a collaborator Emanuel Mbewe, all final-year students, have pooled their expertise to create this game-changing technology.
Both Geoffrey Solomon and Wilfred Kwauma are doing Bachelor of Science in Physics while Emanuel Mbewe is doing Bachelor’s of Education in Computer Science.
“We wanted to revolutionise sustainable agriculture,” said Geoffrey Solomon, Team Leader. “Our system operates automatically, freeing farmers from constant monitoring.”
The system’s unique features include automatic irrigation based on soil moisture content, mobile phone software for monitoring and a water tank storage unit.
“Unlike other technologies, our system uses a storage unit, making it more complex and automated,” Solomon explained.
The team invested around K250,000, utilising locally sourced materials such as micro-controllers, sensors, water tanks, and pipes. However, they faced challenges, including limited financial resources and time constraints.
“Climate change and reducing human intervention motivated our project,” said Solomon.
“We aim to install this on a large-scale and undertake more projects to boost Malawi’s economic sustainability.”
Mr. Lumbani Lobole, University of Malawi lecturer, praised the innovation.
“Malawi needs powerful ideas like this to alter social and economic situations.” He highlighted the project’s emphasis on water conservation, controlling water application according to soil type and retention.
“Conserving water is crucial, especially in winter and spring. This system ensures optimal water usage, reducing waste and enhancing crop yields.”
The Auto Solar-Powered Irrigation System has the potential to transform Malawi’s agricultural landscape. With this innovation, farmers can increase productivity, reduce labour costs and enhance food security.
To learn more about this ground breaking project, contact Geoffrey Solomon at +265 996 17 97 25 .
