A group of students from the HCMC University of Technology has implemented a solar-powered watering system in Ninh Thuan Province after winning the special award of the Holcim Prize 2012.

An acceptance ceremony for this watering system project was held last week.

The first phase of this project started in December 2012. In May 2013, the system began trial run on 1,000 square meters of peanut farming in Phuoc Hai Commune, Ninh Phuoc District.

As the system runs on solar power instead of electric power, it will help address the demand for irrigation of farmers, especially during the dry season.

The system is made of eco-friendly materials such as solar filters to utilize natural power sources and prevent environmental pollution.

Nguyen Van Ngot, chairman of the Ninh Thuan farmers’ society, said the system would help farmers boost their production as they could grow crops during the dry season with no need to worry about water shortage. If innovated and upgraded, this system would be able to supply water for livestock farming, household consumption and many other activities.

The second phase of the project will kick off later this year on a total farming area of 2,000 square meters.

The cost of this project is VND200 million, sponsored by Holcim Vietnam.

Ninh Thuan has more sunny than rainy days and a thermal radiation of some 5.5 kwh per square meter a day, the highest rate in the country.

The Holcim Prize was first organized in 2009 and has soon become a playground for university students with passion for scientific research. The Holcim Prize 2013 will take place in October and November, with a total prize value of VND600 million.