Demo Farm
Vision
We hope to create a self-sustaining farm on which we train Togolese farmers in one-month internship periods. Participants will be able to stay on the property, allowing those from rural areas across Togo to carry knowledge back to their communities. Over 5000 farmers will be training by 2033.
We plan to enable farmers with a variety of skills related to sustainable farming practices and farming without access to grid-electricity. We will offer:
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implementation of small-scale irrigation powered by a standalone solar system
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crop technical itinerary education from planting to harvest
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bookkeeping training
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connections to local markets to reduce logistic burden through the vegetables value chain in order to reduce post-harvest losses (PHL).
Implementing ISECooking project in Demo Farm
For farmers to visualize what can be achieved with our irrigation systems and solar cookers, farmers interning on the farm will be cooking with our ISEC (Insulated Solar Electric Cooker) technology. This experience will increase their willingness to promote clean cooking and Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) adoption among their peers when they return to their communities.
ISECooking
What is ISECooking technology?
As part of an international collaboration dedicated to the development of clean-energy cooking technologies, we are presently expanding the production and implementation of ISECooking. This alternative cooking technology is a simple and cheap solution to the health issues that come with biofuel cooking practices common in Togo.
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Developed at Cal Poly in 2015, the Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISECooker) is an alternative cooking technology that utilizes an insulated, electrically-heated cooking chamber. This allows users to cook over a long period with low power from a solar panel, from the grid, or from a combination that includes any electrical sources. Energy can be stored thermally or in a battery. Low-power cooking saves money by reducing electrical bills (if grid connected) or reducing the number of solar panels purchased. The simplicity of ISECooking technology allows it to be manufactured in locations where it is used.
Implementing ISECooking project in Demo Farm
For farmers to visualize what can be achieved with our irrigation systems and solar cookers, farmers interning on the farm will be cooking with our ISEC technology. This experience will increase willingness to promote clean cooking and SPIS adoption among their peers when they return to their communities.
Pete Swartz, ISECooking founder, worked with Salma for more than a month in November, 2022. Learn more about his experience below.
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