Solar energy powering lives and sustaining rural communities

In Mozambique, many small-scale farmers face daily challenges due to a lack of access to sustainable energy. Mário Balate, a resident of Gaza Province, was one of them. Fetching water from a well to irrigate his land required immense effort, consumed a lot of time, and limited his productivity.

Low productivity meant insufficient income to support his family, making it difficult to ensure proper nutrition and education for his children. Faced with this reality, Mário needed a modern and affordable solution.

Through the BRILHO programme, Mário was introduced to solar-powered irrigation pumps. During an awareness session with sales agents, he discovered a new opportunity to transform his life.

Determined to change his situation, Mário invested in a solar pump. The custom installation of the system marked the beginning of a major turning point.

Less Labour, More Production

With continuous and efficient irrigation, Mário expanded his cultivated area and diversified his crops, making what once seemed impossible a reality.

Increased production resulted in an extra profit of 15,000 meticais in a short period. This additional income ensured better nutrition, home improvements, and new opportunities for his family.

With the extra earnings, Mário was able to pay school fees and purchase educational materials for his children, securing their education.

Mário’s success with solar energy has made him a role model within his community. Other farmers have started to see solar technology as a viable solution to improve their livelihoods.

Sustainability that makes a difference

The adoption of a solar pump eliminated the need for labour-intensive manual irrigation and reduced dependence on non-renewable energy sources. This translates to a lower environmental impact and improved energy efficiency.

"Before, my productivity was very low, and life was tough. With the solar pump, everything changed. Now, I can irrigate quickly, increase my harvest, and improve my family's life. I can feed my children, educate them, and even inspire my neighbors to adopt this incredible solution." – Mário Balate

Solar Energy: A new beginning for Mário and many others

Mário Balate’s story demonstrates the transformative power of sustainable energy. Thanks to the BRILHO programme, he boosted his productivity, secured a better future for his family, and became an inspiration for his community. Watch Mr Mário's full video here

The BRILHO programme is funded by the governments of the United Kingdom and Sweden and implemented by SNV.