The team here at Futurepump are jumping-up-and-down-excited to announce that we have won the 2017 Ashden International Award for Energy and Water, supported by the Waterloo Foundation!
Ashden is a UK based charity that champions and supports the leaders in sustainable energy to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon world. The Ashden Award is one of the most prestigious accolades in the sustainability sector and recognises ‘trailblazers’ within the industry.
We were shortlisted among 14 other impressive international organisations from across Africa and Asia and it is a huge honour to be named alongside such pioneering companies. It is times like this that show it is not all doom and gloom within the sustainability sector – entrepreneurs, innovators and enthusiastic companies and individuals are all around the globe making a difference to thousands of people’s lives. Checkout all the finalists and winners at www.ashden.org/winners/awards-winners
The Ashden judges said “Futurepump’s pioneering solar-powered irrigation technology is helping smallholder farmers irrigate more land and leapfrog to year-round sustainable crop growing which is simultaneously increasing their productivity and income as well as allowing them to move away from polluting diesel.”
And it’s true – Futurepump solar irrigation pumps are changing the lives of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. A recent survey by Acumen revealed that 75% of Futurepump customers have experienced an improved quality of life since acquiring the solar pump. This is partially from reducing spending on fuel pumps and labour for irrigation – Futurepump customers now spend, on average, $7.18 less per week on irrigation – that’s a whopping $373 per year!
Hear more about the solar pump from our customers:
We hope you continue to follow our story – we cannot wait to update you all soon!
*Featured image credit IWMI and www.jeffreymwalcott.com