Documentary Photographer Kristin Lau is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From her project ‘Nepal Solar Farming‘.To see Kristin’s portfolio and projects click on any image.
Farmer Maiya Regmi living and working in the farming community with Dilli Ram Regmi in Sirubari, rural Nepal
Farmer Humnath Regmi lives and works in the farming community with Dilli Ram Regmi in Sirubari, rural Nepal.
Energy is at the forefront of most economic, environmental and developmental issues the world faces today. In Nepal, roughly 80% of the population lack access to reliable electricity. Solar integration for agricultural purposes has been implemented throughout various parts of rural Nepal to aid in irrigation and agricultural needs all year round. Farmer Dilli Ram Regmi, 65 years old, lives in Jharlyangdi in Walling, ward number seven in Syangja, Nepal. He’s been a farmer since the age of 16 working in agriculture with his family. There are 12 members in his family and they depend on agriculture to make a living. Dilli Ram saw a lack of water in his community and shared his concern with the Syangja Agricultural Committee. With the help of renewable energy charitable organizations, iDE Nepal and Renewable World, a Solar water MUS (Multiple Use System) was implemented in December 2012 and completed within two months. The Solar MUS has proven beneficial to the 32 households that use the 16 distribution taps for drinking water. Every household has a water tap and is no longer forced to fetch and carry water over long distances. Renewable World and iDE Nepal, describes a Solar MUS (Multi Use Water System) as an improved approach to water resource management, which uses solar powered water pumps to collect and store water that is distributed to taps for household use in small communities to meet both domestic and agricultural needs. The Solar MUS system provides the farmers in Syangja with a 15,000 Litre storage tank. During the dry season, there is a scarcity of water and with a second storage tank, the farmers would have the opportunity to irrigate at least an area of 520 sq. meters of land. The land in Sirubari is ideal for vegetable farming, but currently there is only enough water for drinking and livestock. Traditionally, the land was able to grow millet, corn, rice, and vegetables including tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage and radish.
Livestock that farmer Dilli Ram Regmi and his family tend to in Sirubari, rural Nepal.
Farmer Dilli Ram Regmi sits proud beside the well that is filled with water powered by solar water pumps at the base of the mountain in Sirubari, rural Nepal. This storage well has proved highly beneficial to the farming community who would otherwise have to walk hours to carry drinking water daily.
The storage well that is filled with water powered by solar water pumps at the base of the mountain in Sirubari, rural Nepal. This well has proved highly beneficial to the farming community who would otherwise have to walk hours to carry drinking water daily.
One of the 16 distribution taps providing drinking water to 32 households in Farmer Dilli Ram Regmi’s community in Sirubari, rural Nepal.
Community farmer Dilli Ram Regmi with iDE Nepal representative, introduces himself to the group in Sirubari, rural Nepal.
Non-profits Renewable World, iDE, Practical Action, and community farmers meet in Sirubari, rural Nepal to discuss the impact of solar energy for drinking water.
Farmer Chola Kanta Regmi lives and works in the farming community with Dilli Ram Regmi, Sirubari rural Nepal
Farmer Dilli Ram Regmi stands beside the 4.5kW solar array that harnesses the sun’s energy to pump water for drinking and mushroom farming in his community in rural Sirubari, Nepal.
Farmer Dilli Ram Regmi shares the interior of the controller for the solar water pumping system that pumps water over 80m high for drinking and agricultural purposes in his community in Sirubari, Nepal.
A long-life span of solar panels, over 20 years, and decreasing manufacturer costs in the past decade, makes solar the future of sustainable energy, Sirubari, Nepal.
Farmer Santi Regmi sits proud and happy with the solar water pump system installed. Solar has provided better access to water for vegetable farming and irrigation nearby the house in rural Sirubari, Nepal.
Farmer Dipa Regmi and daughter sit proud by their home in the Sirubari village of rural Nepal.
The home of farmer Dilli Ram Regmi and his family in Sirubari, rural Nepal. His family no longer feels safe staying in their home because it has been cracked as a result of the April 25th Nepal earthquakes that hit the country.
An old family photograph of farmer Dilli Ram Regmi and his farmers group inside the bedroom of his cracked house post earthquake in Sirubari, rural Nepal.
Dilli Ram Regmi and his wife Dil Mava Regmi inside the bedroom of their cracked housed in Sirubari, rural Nepal post April 25th earthquake that hit the country.
The belongings of Dilli Ram Regmi and his wife inside the bedroom of their cracked housed post earthquake in Sirubari, rural Nepal.
Dil Mava Regmi, Santi Regmi and Mamta Regmi sit inside the bedroom of farmer Dilli Ram Regmi in Sirubari, rural Nepal. As the country continues to struggle with the effects of the natural disasters and political instability, renewable energy, is providing both light and hope for a nation of people renowned for their resilience.
Farmer Dilli Ram Regmi and his family are forced to reside in this temporary shelter with the word “Safety” printed above the entrance in Sirubari, rural Nepal. Their home was damaged and cracked as a result of the April 25th earthquake that hit the country.
Nepal continues to rebuild with reliable energy services that are clean, efficient, and affordable, that is fundamental to a modern quality of life for its citizens and the country’s global prosperity.
