Sun Culture

SunCulture is a Kenyan-based climate technology company that provides solar-powered irrigation solutions tailored for smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. Established in 2012, the company aims to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability by offering affordable, clean energy alternatives to traditional irrigation methods.

🌿 What SunCulture Offers

SunCulture designs, manufactures, and distributes solar irrigation systems that enable farmers to irrigate their crops efficiently without relying on expensive diesel pumps or unpredictable rainfall. These systems are particularly beneficial for farms ranging from 1 to 3 acres. Key products include:

• RainMaker2 + ClimateSmart™ Battery: A comprehensive package featuring a submersible solar water pump, solar panels, controller, piping, sprinklers, LED lights, and USB charging ports.

• ClimateSmart™ Direct: An optimized solution for up to 1-acre farms, including a solar-powered water pump, charge controller, solar panel, and necessary fittings.

• Solar Surface Pump: Designed for up to 2-acre farms, this system includes foldable solar panels, a pump controller, and accessories for surface water sources.

These systems are designed to be user-friendly, low-maintenance, and adaptable to various crop types and farm sizes. They also incorporate features like battery storage for nighttime irrigation and IoT capabilities for remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.

💰 Financing: Lipa Pole Pole

To make their technology accessible, SunCulture offers a “Lipa Pole Pole” (Pay Slowly Slowly) financing model. This pay-as-you-go approach allows farmers to acquire solar irrigation systems through manageable monthly installments, reducing the barrier of high upfront costs. For instance, the ClimateSmart™ Direct system is available from KSh 3,339 per month after a deposit of KSh 3,999.

🌍 Impact and Reach

SunCulture’s solutions have significantly impacted smallholder farmers by:

• Increasing Crop Yields: Farmers have reported up to a 300% increase in crop yields.

• Reducing Water Usage: Efficient irrigation methods have led to an 80% reduction in water usage.

• Enhancing Incomes: Some farmers have experienced up to a 10-fold increase in income.

The company operates in several African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Senegal, Togo, and Ivory Coast. Notably, approximately 31% of SunCulture’s customers are women, highlighting the company’s role in promoting gender equity in agriculture.

🤝 Partnerships and Recognition

SunCulture has garnered support from various investors and organizations, including InfraCo Africa, Acumen Fund, and British International Investment. In 2024, the company raised $12 million to expand its solar irrigation solutions across sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, SunCulture has partnered with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to promote sustainable water resource management in Kenya.

📞 Contact and Support

For more information or to explore SunCulture’s products and services:

• Website: sunculture.io

• Email: sales@sunculture.io

• Phone: 0800 721 042 (Toll-free in Kenya)

• Uganda

• 📞 Contact Information

  For more details or to inquire about their products and services:

  • Website: ug.sunculture.io

  • Email: uganda@sunculture.com

  • Toll-Free Phone: 0800 200 132