Sparkle Farm is an initiative by the Sparkle Foundation to ensure food security and sustainability for its school feeding program, which provides breakfast and lunch to children enrolled in its Early Childhood Development (ECD) and after-school primary programs. Previously reliant on external food sources, Sparkle faced high costs and food supply uncertainties. To address this, the foundation established its own farm on 1.2 hectares of land and installed a solar irrigation system to support year-round crop production.
Project summary
THE NEED
Rising food prices and a heavy reliance on external vendors made Sparkle Foundation’s feeding program increasingly unsustainable. In 2023 alone, the program cost MWK22,918,200.00—a figure projected to rise with ongoing economic challenges. Without a reliable irrigation solution, the farm risked becoming dependent on rain-fed agriculture, limiting its productivity and compromising its goal of achieving food independence for the feeding program.
The solution
To ensure effective and sustainable farming, a 5.4 kWp solar irrigation system with 10,000-litre water storage capacity was installed. This system enables consistent irrigation throughout the year, supporting the cultivation of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits.
Impact
The solar-powered irrigation system has laid the foundation for food self-sufficiency at Sparkle Foundation. It reduces the cost of feeding vulnerable children, making the program more resilient and scalable. The project also generates employment for local farmers and promotes sustainable agricultural practices that benefit the environment through improved biodiversity and soil health. Ultimately, Sparkle Farm strengthens both community livelihoods and educational outcomes, .This project contributes primarily to the SDGs 2, 4, and 7.