The Republic of Cabo Verde’s government has launched its first seawater desalination plant for agriculture in São Domingos in order to combat drought and reduce dependency on rain.
The facility, inaugurated on Sunday by Prime Minister Ulisses Silva, will provide fresh water to agricultural fields through desalination, benefiting around 1,200 farmers.
The plant will supply 883,300 cubic meters of water annually and is powered by solar energy to cut costs.
According to the prime minister, similar projects are being planned in other areas, including Santa Cruz, São Vicente, and Boa Vista. The initiative is part of a €42 million investment in collaboration with Hungary, aimed at tackling water scarcity and supporting sustainable agriculture.
This development comes at a crucial moment for the West African country, which is currently witnessing deficient rainfall this year, below what was expected. The country recorded an average rainfall of 47 millimetres this year, while the standard amount is 244 millimetres (July, August and September).
Cabo Verde is currently halfway through its rainy season. The country relies on food imports due to scarcity of water resources, with over 80 per cent of its food coming from abroad.
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