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→Field experiences
===Field experiences===
[[Image:solar market garden.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Solar Market Garden project hooks up solar panels to a drip-system. Photo: [http://www.self.org/benin.shtml Solar Electric Light Fund.]]]
* Zimbabwe study: [http://wwwoar.icrisat.org/journal2386/volume51/aes/aes3Can_drip_irrigation_improve1.pdf Can drip irrigation improve the livelihoods of smallholders? Lessons learned from Zimbabwe].
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====Solar Market Garden Project====
For the first time, women farmers in the rural villages of Bessassi and Dunkassa, in northern Benin, are able to grow vegetables and fruits during the six month dry season, improving food security and nutrition for themselves and their families. Farmers are also increasing their income by selling excess crops in the market. Now entering its third year, [http://wwwweb.selfstanford.orgedu/beningroup/solarbenin/data/SolarMarketGardenInfo/Solar%20Market%20Garden.shtml pdf SELF's Solar Market Garden project] has proved that solar energy can provide long term solutions to hunger, malnutrition and poverty in developing nations.
In addition, since December 2010, the villagers of Bessassi and Dunkassa now have access to clean drinking water via water wells powered by custom arrays of solar-panels ranging from 1.2 - 4 kW. This particular combination is not only a long-term solution, but can also be replicated all over the African continent.