SPIS - Promote & Initiate

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Module Aim and Orientation

The promotion of modern and efficient Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) requires a proactive promotion effort by development practitioners, solar irrigation suppliers and agricultural extension service providers due to insufficient awareness among the target group. This module guides through the most important process steps that have to be considered when disseminating or scaling-up Solar Powered Irrigation Systems. read more

Promotion activities are the most visible part of any promotion campaign. No such campaign can be conceived, however, without a thorough preceding analysis of objectives, target group and stakeholders and the related potentials and opportunities, risks and restrictions. In addition, no campaign can be approached without considering a systematic follow-up from the beginning onwards.

The PROMOTE & INITIATE module follows after the GET INFORMED module, where the individual components of an SPIS, as well as common system configurations are described. The next module is SAFEGUARD WATER, which is also relevant for any promotion of SPIS because it focuses on water governance issues and potential negative impacts of groundwater depletion through solar pumping. One important process step in the promotion of SPIS is access to finance. This is elaborated further in the FINANCE module that provides information and tools for financial service providers already financing or planning to finance SPIS. The last three modules on how to give advice on the DESIGN, SET UP and MAINTAIN of SPIS are important to determine what SPIS configuration can and should be promoted. The modules give an insight into the financial viability, technical feasibility and sustainability in investments in SPIS in a particular setting.

Process Steps

The module starts with an insight into three important processes that need to be carried out for the promotion of any technology. To begin, it is important to understand the pros and cons of SPIS in the target area. It does not pre-empt the detailed analysis of the viability of the technology in a given specific farm context, which is the aim of the following modules of the toolbox. read more

Once objectives and the target group of promotion interventions have been clearly outlined, promotion material has to be produced. The implementation of the promotion activities then have to be planned.

The initiation of actual projects or investments that have been motivated by the promotion campaign is again a process that requires proactivity of the development practitioner and the agricultural advisor. In the last process steps of the PROMOTE & INITIATE module, information is provided on how to pursue this task.

Chapters

1. Analyze opportunities and risks
2. Analyze access to finance
3. Define target group and stakeholders
4. Define a promotion strategy
5. Plan and implement promotion activities
6. Secure follow-up

Tools

• PROMOTE 01 - SPIS Rapid Assessment

Further reading, links and tools Glossary Abbreviations