Solar Water Pumping Systems for Irrigation in Kano State: Technical and Economic Analysis

Agricultural productivity in Kano State's dry season is constrained by inadequate and costly water pumping solutions, limiting smallholder farmers' ability to access groundwater for irrigation. This study conducts a technical and economic analysis of solar-powered water pumping systems as a sustainable alternative to diesel-driven pumps for smallholder irrigation in selected communities in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A survey of 180 farming households was undertaken to document current fuel expenditure, pump characteristics, daily water requirements, and crop profiles. Solar irradiance data from ground stations and satellite sources were used to size photovoltaic arrays suitable for submersible and surface pump combinations. System performance simulations were conducted using RETScreen software to estimate annual water delivery and energy generation under local climatic conditions. Economic evaluation incorporated capital costs, maintenance requirements, and fuel savings to compute payback periods and internal rate of return. Results demonstrate payback periods of four to six years for systems serving farms between 0.5 and 2 hectares, with fuel cost savings averaging 78,000 naira annually per household. The study identifies Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority as a potential institutional partner for scale-up and recommends a revolving loan mechanism to support initial capital costs. Keywords: solar pumping, irrigation, Kano State, smallholder farming, photovoltaic systems.