Kathmandu, May 18:
Arizona State University (ASU) of the United States of America in collaboration
with the Institute of Engineering (IoE) Pulchowk is implementing a
solar-powered lift irrigation system in Rajhar of Nawalparasi district.
"The project
will be completed in two weeks at a cost of about Rs. 2.8 million. The ASU will
put in Rs. 2.1 million while 25 per cent of the project cost will be
contributed by the community. In order to create the ownership of the people to
the project, it is necessary that they have their some contribution in
it," said Dr. Netra Chhetri, an Associate
Professor at the ASU's School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and the
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning.
Dr. Chhetri is in
Kathmandu for the project with a group of 11 international students studying at
the ASU who will participate in the project development, and 5 students from
the IOE will also join them.
The ASU and IOE had
signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint programs and other activities a
couple of years ago.
The irrigation
project involves lifting water up 157 feet with the help of solar technology,
and it will benefit 25 families in the community.
Sun-bridge Solar
Nepal, a local consulting firm, is assisting in the development of the project.
"Although it is
a small project in terms of investment and impact, it will enable local people
with the resilience," said Dr. Chhetri.
The project will be
formally launched amidst a programme at the IOE on Friday.
According to him,
throughout the Hindu-Kush Himalaya region technological solutions such as small
electric or diesel-powered lift irrigation is quite common but it has not been
able to lift the smallholder farmers out of poverty.
Erratic supply of
electricity and rising costs of diesel compound the problem.
"Solar powered
lift irrigation could be a solution, specially as the cost of solar panels are
declining, and entrepreneurs are producing solar integrator pumps at 25 per
cent of the original cost," he said.
Similarly, the US
team will also facilitate the women at Amaltari of the same district in
producing bio-char from Lantana Camera and Mikenia Micarantha plants.
"Both of these
invasive plants are threatening the habitat of endangered animals as well as
the livelihoods of people dependent on forest resources. They naturally
regenerate and are fast growing and will provide sustainable source of
feedstock," said Dr. Chhetri.
The biochar is promoted
on the basis of four complementary objects such as soil amendment to improve
agricultural productivity, energy production, climate change mitigation and
waste management.
Minergy will provide
technical assistance in the project of about Rs. 500,000.
According to Dr.
Chhetri, students of Engineering and Sustainability from the ASU and Tribhuvan
University are currently working on 'Identifying operating condition and
feedstock type to produce high quality biochar'.
The ASU is planning
to set up a long term on farm research to understand biochar's contribution to
overall soil and household food security.
Members of two
Community Forestry User Groups, each consisting of 50 to 70 households, in the
buffer zone forest of the Chitwan National Park in Amaltari will be trained in
the biochar Pyrolysis technique under the programme.
Three faculty members
Nalini Chhetri, Brad Rogers and Nadia Klim are accompanying the team.
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