How Alice Macharia Overcame Drought Challenges with SunCulture
Alice Macharia began her farming journey in 2022. As a part-time farmer and full-time agriculture officer, she was eager to turn her newly acquired land into a thriving, diverse farm. Her enterprises included peas, avocados, papayas – and plans to expand into mango farming.
In 2023, Alice faced her biggest farming obstacle yet: a severe drought. Despite her efforts to build a small earth dam, water quickly ran out. She resorted to buying water to keep her crops alive – an unsustainable and expensive move. Her petrol-powered pump added to her challenges, requiring constant supervision and help from others to operate.
“Water has been the main challenge. With my petrol pump, I always had to call someone to help me. It was expensive and inconvenient.”
Looking for a more efficient and sustainable solution, Alice purchased a SunCulture solar water pump. The switch changed everything. The system was simple to use – even by the women and youth she employed on the farm – and eliminated her dependency on unreliable fuel-powered systems
Alice no longer worries about the rains or high water delivery costs. With consistent irrigation, her crops are thriving, and she’s now preparing to expand into mango farming. She drastically reduced her fuel and labor expenses. Alice earns income from milk, vegetables, and even sells water to nearby residents. As an Agriculture Officer, Alice now recommends SunCulture to farmers she meets in the field.
“If you’re not using a SunCulture pump, you’re missing something big. It’s the best thing that can happen to a farmer.”
Alice’s story is proof that with the right tools, farming doesn’t have to be a struggle. By choosing solar, she gained control over her water, reduced her costs, and grew her impact – not just on her own farm, but in the wider farming community.
