SMEFUNDS has called on both the federal government and private sector investors to scale up solar-powered solutions in agriculture, aiming to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve rural livelihoods.

Dr. Femi Oye, Chief Executive of SMEFUNDS, emphasized that access to reliable electricity remains a major barrier for farmers across Nigeria. “Solar energy offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution to power irrigation, cold storage, crop dryers, and agro-processing equipment, especially in rural communities,” Oye said.

SMEFUNDS is promoting a holistic model inspired by successful projects in East Africa, which integrates solar-powered irrigation with processing and storage solutions. The initiative also aims to empower women, youth, and marginalized groups by providing access to technology and capacity-building programs.

According to Oye, Nigeria’s abundant sunshine and declining solar technology costs make the country well-positioned to adopt decentralized renewable energy for agriculture. He believes that wider adoption of solar could significantly increase food production while creating new economic opportunities in rural areas.

SMEFUNDS has also launched a “Solar Funds” initiative to mobilize capital for clean-energy infrastructure and support local “living labs,” where farmers can test and refine solar solutions suited to their needs.

With this push, SMEFUNDS seeks not only to enhance agricultural productivity but also to strengthen food security and promote inclusive economic growth across Nigeria’s rural communities. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.