This study summarizes experiences using Renewable Energy (RE) water pumping options as irrigation by smallholder farmers in developing countries. It includes an overview of conventional technologies (petrol and diesel pumpsets),along with an inventory of RE alternatives (wind pumps, solar Photo Voltaic (PV) pumps, solar thermal pumps and biogas) and compares, using a basic calculation model, the potentially viable options under specific conditions and for specific smallholder characteristics.