The context 

The semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil is characterized by recurrent droughts and poverty. The main economic activities in this region are pasture and subsistence agriculture. According to national and international assessments, climate change will increase the frequency of the droughts, which is likely to impact the yields of local crops and decrease the already limited vegetation cover.

Since 1960’s, the Brazilian government and international institutions have tried to limit the consequences of the droughts by constructing a large number of artificial surface water reservoirs (barreiros) in the region that have increased local water supply.  

Although many of these barreiros could be used for small scale irrigation systems of up to 10 hectares or more, just a minority (2%) of them is currently utilized for this purpose because farmers do not have access to modern irrigation technologies. The Brazilian government has introduced convenient subsidized credit schemes for small farmers (PRONAF) and there are also local micro-credit initiatives that can provide some finance. However, not all small farmers can qualify to apply for a loan and none of these initiatives are providing specific  capacity building to teach how to install, manage and operate better irrigation systems and how to improve crop yields under water-stress conditions. As a result, family farmers keep growing low-yield subsistence crops next to the barreiros with inefficient irrigation, i.e. by hand or through water trenches.

Barreiro in the municipality of Pintadas.

The idea

The Pintadas Solar project was conceived as a pilot project with the specific objective of

showing that it is possible to improve the agricultural yields of crops grown in northeastern Brazil if small farmers have access to a complete toolkit consisting of efficient irrigation systems, water pumping technologies, fertilizers and adequate technical assistance for local community empowerment. Moreover, as droughts are likely to increase in intensity due to climate change, the project aimed to shown also how small farmers living in dry areas could possibly adapt to climate change impacts.

The pilot projects

Seven (7) pilot projects have been implemented using different technologies (drip irrigation, organoponia, solar water pumping, diesel pumping). Initial results have shown that the payback of these systems is in the order of 1,5 to 6 years depending on the type of pump and irrigation system. This initial stage has tested the way in which a much larger municipal or regional program would unfold. Pilot partnerships between the project developers, local farmers, the local municipality, technological providers, local organizations, universities and state agencies have shown to be  the way forward to scale the project and outreach several farmers through innovations that are truly sustainable.

 Hand irrigation in Pintadas is common

 among women farmers   

The name

The name “Pintadas Solar Project” comes from the use of solar photovoltaic energy. Initially, the project aimed to use mostly photovoltaic water pumps but they soon showed to be still quiet expensive. Moreover, they did not fit all situations. Therefore, the technological platform was enlarged to include also other water pumping technologies. However, the name “Pintadas Solar” remained as a hope that the project will enlighten the way towards more efficient productive systems that can help eradicating poverty in a changing climate and in a sustainable way.

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One of the two organoponic systems that have been implemented and the initial logo of the Pintadas Solar project.