【IRENA】津巴布韦农业分散的可再生能源_51页_2mb

Decentralised Renewable Energy for Agriculture in Zimbabwe
IRENA's report highlights the critical role of agriculture in Zimbabwe, contributing 11-14% of the country's GDP and supporting 70% of the population's livelihoods and food security. Smallholder farmers, who produce 70% of staple crops, face severe energy challenges: only 12% have grid access, while 96.74% rely on firewood for heating and cooking, leading to productivity constraints, post-harvest losses (up to 50% for perishable crops), and socioeconomic disparities, particularly for women. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address these barriers through distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions.

Key Findings

1. Energy Gaps

   • 97.82% of farmers lack drying and shelling equipment, and 95.65% lack refrigeration/ cold chain infrastructure.
   • Solar water pumps, irrigation systems, solar dryers, and cold storage facilities are identified as priority DRE technologies.

2. Market Potential

   • Irrigation: Solar pump kits could address 2 million hectares, with a USD 7.1 billion market value.
   • Cold Storage: USD 128 million potential for solar-powered refrigeration, targeting 1.8 million tonnes annually.
   • Solar Dryers: USD 13 million market for drying crops like tomatoes and groundnuts.

3. Technology Benefits

   • Solar irrigation can boost maize yields by 114% and tomato production by 25-50%.
   • Solar cold storage reduces post-harvest losses by 50-75%, while dryers enable value addition for high-demand products.

4. Economic Viability

   • DRE solutions offer payback periods of 1-6 years, with solar dryers offering 0.06–2.21 years.
   • Cost-benefit analyses show net savings of up to USD 12.9 million annually for cold storage projects.

5. Barriers to Adoption

   • High costs, limited financing (microfinance rates up to 15% monthly), and lack of awareness about DRE solutions.
   • Existing infrastructure and equipment expansion lag behind agricultural needs, with only 217,000 hectares currently irrigated.

Recommendations

• Establish multi-stakeholder platforms to coordinate government, private sector, and financial institutions on DRE deployment.
• Prioritize价值链 finance and tailor financing mechanisms (e.g., grants, subsidies, climate-indexed insurance) for smallholders and VBU (Village Business Unit) models.
• Scale community-based DRE solutions, such as solar dryers and cold storage, to combat rural poverty and improve productivity.
• Invest in capacity-building programs for technical skills and promote renewable energy access through targeted policy support.
• Strengthen local manufacturing and R&D for DRE technologies, including solar-powered machinery and hybrid systems.

Conclusion
The report underscores the transformative potential of DRE in Zimbabwe’s agriculture, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of 95% urban and 75% rural electrification. Scalable solutions like solar irrigation and cold storage can significantly enhance food security, reduce losses, and foster inclusive growth. However, overcoming financial and structural barriers requires tailored policies, collaborative frameworks, and investment in sustainable infrastructure to ensure long-term viability.

Key Data

• 36% of smallholders grow groundnuts, with potential yields of 3–4 tonnes/ha.
• Tomato production faces 30–55% post-harvest losses, with solar cold storage capable of reducing them by 75%.
• Solar dryers reportedly increase productivity and diversify income streams for farmers.

The report advocates for a phased implementation: short-term feasibility studies, medium-term expansion of DRE systems, and long-term resilience strategies to address climate shocks and achieve sustainable agricultural development.