For many farmers across Kenya’s dryland regions, the challenge is no longer just about farming but accessing reliable, affordable energy that can power irrigation, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve productivity.
This is the gap the DREEM Peer Learning & Farmer Exposure Event sought to address as over 100 farmers from cooperatives in Kitui and Makueni counties gathered at the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) Demonstration Centre in Kitui for the official commissioning and handover of an Agri-solar Demonstration Facility.
Hosted by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) through the Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) Hub, the event brought together farmers, county officials, development partners, financiers, and agri-solar technology providers for a day focused on practical learning, knowledge exchange, and clean energy adoption in agriculture.
The highlight of the day was the launch of the demonstration facility, designed to serve as a “living classroom” where farmers can gain hands-on exposure to solar-powered agricultural technologies already transforming farming systems across the country.
Through live demonstrations, farmers interacted with technologies such as solar irrigation systems, cooling solutions, and solar drying technologies; innovations aimed at helping smallholder farmers reduce operational costs, minimize losses, and increase productivity.
The event also created space for peer-to-peer learning, allowing farmer groups to exchange experiences and explore how renewable energy can strengthen agricultural production and improve livelihoods within their own communities.
Speaking during the event, Joseph Murabula, KCIC’s CEO emphasized the importance of embracing climate-smart agriculture holistically and positioning renewable energy as a key driver of sustainable livelihoods. “Adoption of renewable energy should start from the household, right from clean cooking all the way to the farm. This is how we build sustainable livelihoods,” he noted.
He further highlighted KCIC’s broader commitment to supporting enterprises and innovations that create jobs and economic opportunities across the green economy, particularly for young people.
Representing the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, Eng. Kamweru underscored the importance of the productive use of energy, encouraging farmers to adopt clean energy solutions that directly improve agricultural efficiency and incomes. He reaffirmed REREC’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that bring renewable energy technologies closer to farming communities.
The initiative was also welcomed by the Kitui County Government, with county representatives encouraging farmers to take full advantage of the facility as a resource for learning and adoption.
Beyond the speeches, the event featured interactive exhibitions and live demonstrations from agri-solar technology providers including SunCulture and Irri-Hub KE, which showcased solar-powered irrigation systems, alongside Nachi Green Solutions, which demonstrated clean energy applications for households.
Across the exhibition area, farmers engaged directly with technologies, suppliers, and technical experts, an indication of the growing demand for practical, cost-saving solutions that are both accessible and easy to adopt.
The demonstration facility forms part of the broader DREEM Hub programme, an initiative supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and implemented by KCIC together with partners including the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF), CLASP, and REREC.
The programme seeks to accelerate the adoption of distributed renewable energy solutions in agriculture by creating stronger linkages between farmers, technology providers, financiers, policymakers, and extension partners.
As the event concluded, Felix Mwaki, Director KCIC, called on farmers to actively utilize the facility to improve their farming practices and strengthen their livelihoods, emphasizing that the long-term success of the initiative will depend on continued farmer engagement and ownership. He also acknowledged the contribution of all partners involved in making the initiative possible, noting that sustained collaboration remains essential in scaling climate-smart agriculture solutions that respond to the needs of farmers.
More than just a commissioning ceremony, the event marked an important step toward building a more resilient and climate-smart agricultural sector, one where farmers are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to adopt clean energy solutions that improve productivity, lower costs, and create sustainable livelihoods.