Accra, Dec. 15, GNA – The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with Farmerline and Pumptech, has launched IRRILINE, an innovative advisory service designed to make solar-powered irrigation more accessible and effective for smallholder farmers across Ghana.
The service, unveiled at IWMI’s West Africa Office in Accra, provides farmers with practical guidance on irrigation scheduling, access to solar irrigation systems, and connections to financing opportunities.
It aims to improve crop productivity, water efficiency, and climate resilience, particularly for women farmers.
Dr. Olufunke Cofie, IWMI’s Africa Director for Research Impact, said the initiative reflected IWMI’s commitment to sustainable water management and food security.
“We develop tools and solutions that help farmers and decision-makers use water more effectively, responding to climate change and supporting livelihoods,” she stated.
Professor Kehinde Igunjobi, IWMI Country Representative, emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing IRRILINE.
“This tool is not just for Ghana; it can be scaled across the region. It combines technology, renewable energy, and farmer-led solutions to strengthen food security,” he noted.
He urged Ghanaian farmers to embrace technology-driven irrigation methods to enhance food security.
Explaining the concept behind IRRILINE, Dr. Sander Zwart, Deputy Country Representative and Senior Researcher at IWMI, said the service was co-designed with Farmerline to address farmers’ biggest challenge—access to reliable irrigation.
“Irrigation is location-specific and often costly. IRRILINE brings together advisory services, equipment providers, and financing options in one platform,” he said.
Marvin Nii Adom Armah, Senior Business and Account Manager at Farmerline, described the journey as a testament to the power of collaboration.
“We’ve seen how technology can transform agriculture when it is inclusive and targeted. Farmers who can irrigate can plan, and farmers who can plan will prosper,” he added.
The launch featured a demonstration of IRRILINE’s dashboard, a showcase of solar irrigation systems, and the screening of a short film.
The initiative is supported by the World Bank through CGIAR and aligns with Ghana’s efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture.
Mr Armah said all farmers needed to do was call-in the IRRILINE dial code and provide basic information about their farms and investment preferences.
Based on this information, an automated system generates tailored irrigation advice, specifying the required equipment, supplier links, and available financing options.
A field technician is assigned to conduct field assessment after which the irrigation solution is finalised and implemented.
IWMI, headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, operates in over 55 countries and has been active in Ghana for 25 years. Farmerline, founded in Ghana in 2013, leverages technology and partnerships to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods across Africa.
GNA
Christian Akorlie