UoN, Aston University and Solargen Technologies to improve Crop Production by 50%

The University of Nairobi has partnered with engineering company Solargen Technologies through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop a smart irrigation (watering) system. The system aims at using renewable energy to provide year-round watering of land to improve crop production in Kenya.

Through the partnership, the University will serve communities in rural and conflict-affected parts of Kenya through customized solutions that meet their energy, water and crop production needs.

According to Food and Drink International , This KTP will use a hybrid source of solar and wind energy to power smart sensors and control systems to automatically deliver the right amount of water for a given crop type and maintain the required soil moisture levels, resulting in increased crop production.

Dean faculty of Engineering and professional Agricultural Engineer, Professor Ayub Gitau and Senior lecturer, Department of Electrical and information Engineering, Dr. George Kamucha from the University of Nairobi are collaborating with the team from Aston University led by Dr. Imran Muhammed. 

In his remarks, Dr. Imran Muhammed from the Aston University team said, “We are delighted to design the hybrid solar and wind energy system for this smart irrigation system, which will have a positive impact on primary crop production, increase the availability of safe and healthy foods and improve the welfare of farmers and their families in rural Kenya.”

In his remarks, Managing Director at Solargen Technologies Badr Shariff said, “The project will bring together Aston University’s expertise in hybrid energy, the University of Nairobi’s expertise in irrigation systems and our expertise in system integration and solar energy to develop a market leading irrigation system with increased reliability and low operating and maintenance cost.”

This article was first posted on Food and Drink international.