GridVille in collaboration with ICIMOD conducted a two-day training on lift irrigation system
GridVille Kathmandu University in coordination with ICIMOD and Nepal Engineers Association (NEA) organized a two-day training on “Empowering Youth and Women: Optimized Irrigation Designs for Climate-Resilient Agriculture” at ICIMOD headquarter Chapagaun on 20th and 21st of April.
Mr. Nand Kishor Agrawal (SG2 Lead, ICIMOD) began the training with welcome remarks and a brief introduction. During the training the concept on the practical design of optimized solar photovoltaic (PV) energy lift irrigation system and optimizing solar irrigation for hills was discussed including the session on understanding and integrating the concept and principles of GEDSI. Furthermore, Mr. Manoj Panta, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, explained the Government’s work and priorities in the field of irrigation. The training was conducted to bridge the gap between the shortage of skilled human resources for the development and deployment of renewable energy technology which is crucial for academic knowledge to be supplemented with a better understanding of the local context and build on the priorities and experiences to those working in this field.
With the completion of the training students are expected to be more focused towards the deployment of renewable energy technology – solar PV lift irrigation system and gain adequate knowledge on the possibility of its implementation in Nepal. In addition to that they are expected to integrate the concept and principles of GEDSI while carrying out any further projects.
The training held by ICIMOD was supported from the Alumni Innovation Grant (AIG) 2023, Australia, and in collaboration with GridVille, Kathmandu University, and Nepal Engineering Association (NEA). The event was facilitated by energy experts Mr. Kushal Gautam, Mr. Abhishek Malla and Ms. Simran Silpakar, Gender Research Associate at ICIMOD. Mr. Manoj Panta, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Energy participated as a guest speaker.
Fifty undergraduates of different faculties of Kathmandu University participated in the training on the very first day. More fifty participants of different social background and geography of the country participated on the second day of the training. About 30% of female participation was recorded during the training.