Despite a decline in overall off-grid solar funding, Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) technologies experienced a surge in investor interest, raising $65 million in 2023. These technologies, such as solar-powered water pumps, refrigerators, and cold rooms, enhance livelihoods by enabling new revenue-generating activities, particularly in the agriculture sector. Laura Fortes, GOGLA’s senior Access to Investment manager, attributed the increased interest to the transformative impact of PURE technologies on resilience and income opportunities.
Results for: sustainable agriculture
Dairy cows contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through methane released from their burps and farts. A new study suggests that breeding cows to emit less methane could be a viable strategy to mitigate climate change. By incorporating methane reduction into breeding objectives, farmers can permanently lower methane emissions from dairy herds.
Vietnam, a significant rice exporter, has pledged to reduce methane emissions in the rice industry. Recent research reveals annual industry losses exceeding $400 million, highlighting the urgency of reshaping the sector. Farmers like Vo Van Van are implementing innovative techniques such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation and drone fertilization to reduce water usage and methane emissions. These practices have demonstrated cost savings, increased yield, and access to premium markets. Furthermore, the Loc Troi Group, a leading rice exporter, is expanding the adoption of these methods to achieve Vietnam’s target of growing high-quality, low-emission rice on 1 million hectares of farmland by 2030.