Solar lift irrigation to help marginalized farmers in Nepal

A solar lift irrigation system could improve the prospects of an impoverished mountain community in Nepal by providing access to water for year-round farming

The traditional fishing community of Bisdeutar village, located east of Kathmandu, Nepal, also farms the steep hills above the Indrawati River. Their livelihoods are constrained by the lack of access to water for irrigation. Under the CGIAR Initiatives on NEXUS Gains and Mixed Farming Systems, IWMI Nepal, in partnership with local government, is facilitating the installation of a solar lift irrigation system to transport 90,000 liters of water a day 100 meters up to the village, which could enable irrigation for farming throughout the year and regenerate the livelihoods of this marginalized community. The project is expected to be completed by early December 2024.

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Header image: Researchers from IWMI Nepal with Bisdeutar residents, discussing solar lift irrigation. Photo: Surendra Phuyal/IWMI Nepal