Abdul Karim Sherwani

Pakistani engineer who developed the world's first solar-powered irrigation system in the 1950s

Abdul Karim Sherwani (1921-1974) transformed agriculture in arid regions through his invention of the solar-powered irrigation system, patented in 1957. Working in the Thar Desert of Pakistan, he created a low-cost solar evaporative cooling system that allowed farmers to store water without electricity. His innovation:
- Enabled crop production in areas receiving <150mm annual rainfall
- Reduced water loss by 60% compared to traditional methods
- Powered entirely by solar energy at a time when solar technology was in its infancy

His 1962 book Light from the Sun became a manual for developing nations. Despite his breakthrough, Sherwani faced opposition from petroleum interests and died in obscurity. Modern solar companies like Solar Century cite his work as foundational. The UNESCO recognized his contributions in 2019 through a heritage designation for his prototype systems. His techniques are still used in desert regions across Africa and the Middle East, though his name remains largely unknown outside engineering circles. Recent efforts by the Greenpeace have highlighted his work as an early climate change solution.