In an effort to form a bridge between the historically siloed energy and agriculture sectors, Efficiency for Access is launching a campaign entitled Efficiency for AgTech that will spotlight the inextricable link between energy and agriculture. From January to April 2022, the campaign will promote and highlight the latest trends and innovations in energy-efficient, sustainable and climate-smart agricultural solutions that can enhance global food security and build climate resilience. As an evolution of the Low-Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme’s first-ever communications campaign in 2017, also entitled Efficiency for AgTech, this campaign brings the five-year LEIA programme full circle.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that by 2050, 70% more food will need to be produced in order to feed the growing global population. Yet as climate change destablises weather patterns and predictable growing seasons, this effort to expand global food production becomes increasingly threatened. The ecological crisis thus compounds the problem by exacerbating already existing inefficient and polluting food production and storage processes.

Energy-efficient, solar-powered, off-grid appropriate agricultural appliances and equipment have the potential to help meet the growing food demand in a way that mitigates climate impacts and builds resilience. These technologies are particularly impactful for the smallholder farmers who help feed a third of the world’s population.

“Solar-powered productive use agricultural equipment has gained an increasingly important role in the face of our changing planet,” says Jenny Corry, Director at CLASP. “Using polluting and inefficient systems or technologies is no longer viable. We need clean agtech to empower smallholder farmers to sustainably feed our growing global population, while also enhancing the infrastructure and processes that build climate resilience.”

“This 2022 Efficiency for AgTech communications campaign is an evolution from our first campaign in 2017, also entitled Efficiency for AgTech. This campaign will serve as a crucial link between the energy and ag sectors, highlighting the need to form partnerships that accelerate the uptake of these technologies–at a pace that acknowledges the urgency of the climate crisis.”

Over the course of this three-month campaign, Efficiency for AgTech will highlight what Efficiency for Access and its partners have accomplished so far in accelerating the uptake of solar-powered agricultural appliances. It will also forecast the future direction of the ag-related productive use equipment sector by shining a light on emerging trends and challenges. The campaign will use Efficiency for Access social media channels and newsletter outlets to amplify blog articles, publications and events. All campaign-related materials and collateral will use the hashtag #EfficiencyforAgTech. Visit the campaign webpage for more.

Throughout the campaign, Efficiency for Access will collaborate with organisations working in the energy and agriculture nexus to disseminate information, co-host events and develop new content. To get involved, please contact Marion Kudla (mkudla@clasp.ngo) and Lisa Kahuthu (lkahuthu@clasp.ngo).

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About Efficiency for Access

Efficiency for Access is a global coalition working to promote high performing appliances that enable access to clean energy for the world’s poorest people. It is a catalyst for change, accelerating the growth of off-grid appliance markets to boost incomes, reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life and support sustainable development. Efficiency for Access consists of 15 Donor Roundtable Members, 17 Programme Partners, and more than 30 Investor Network members. Current Efficiency for Access Coalition members have programmes and initiatives spanning 47 countries and 25 key technologies.

The Efficiency for Access Coalition is coordinated jointly by CLASP, an international appliance energy efficiency and market development specialist not-for-profit organisation, and Energy Saving Trust, which specialises in energy efficiency product verification, data and insight, advice and research. Visit https://efficiencyforaccess.org/ for more information.

If you would like more information about this topic, please email Marion Kudla at mkudla@clasp.ngo