As the sun set over the forage demonstration farm in Kihang-Buhit Community, it marked more than the end of another working day. It marked the completion of a solar panel installation and solar-powered water pumping system – a milestone that will change life in this community for years to come.
The newly installed system supports irrigation for the forage demonstration farm while simultaneously increasing access to clean, sustainable water for the broader Kihang-Buhit community. Two needs, one solution and the sun powering it all.
Why This Matters
Water scarcity has become an increasingly urgent reality across Plateau State. Low rainfall has caused significant drops in water levels, straining both agriculture and daily life. In communities like Kihang-Buhit, where farmers and herders already navigate delicate relationships around land and resources, water stress can quickly become a flashpoint for conflict.
By providing reliable, sustainable water access, this intervention addresses a root cause of tension — ensuring that competition over scarce resources does not erupt into violence. A community with enough water to farm, to drink, and to share has one fewer reason to fight.
Climate-Smart Solutions for Lasting Peace
YARAC’s approach in Kihang-Buhit reflects a core conviction: lasting peace requires addressing the material conditions that drive conflict. The solar water system is a climate-smart solution that strengthens livelihoods, supports sustainable forage production, and reinforces peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
With support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the SPRING Programme in Nigeria, this infrastructure investment represents YARAC’s commitment to solutions that are not just immediate, but enduring.