HOIMA
Farmers in Hoima District are increasingly adopting microscale irrigation systems to enhance agricultural productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change on crop production.
The initiative, implemented under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UgIFT) Program with funding from the World Bank, supports selected farmers to install irrigation systems and ensure year-round production.
Paul Mubangizi, a farmer from Kitegwa B Village in Kabale Subcounty, is among the 28 farmers benefiting from the project during the 2024/2025 financial year.
Mubangizi contributed Shs 5.7 million as part of the co-funding for the irrigation system, valued at Shs 23 million. He urges fellow farmers to embrace irrigation if they are to sustain commercial farming.
Another beneficiary, Deogratius Mbabazi from Isokoma Village in Buhanika Subcounty, described the program as a “game changer” in modern farming.
According to him, he contributed about Shs 10 million as part of the co-funding. The system, which is solar-powered, helps him irrigate his coffee, vegetables, and other crops. It has made water readily available, and he no longer worry about drought.
The Hoima District Local Government recently commissioned 28 microscale irrigation projects benefiting individual farmers. The ceremony was presided over by the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Shafih Ntuuyo, on behalf of the RDC.
According to Mathew Mpeeka, the District Senior Agricultural Engineer, the program operates on a co-funding basis where both government and farmers contribute to the cost of the irrigation systems.
The Senior Agricultural Officer, Godfrey Kayongo, noted that all beneficiaries received free fertilizers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to boost productivity.
While commissioning the projects, Assistant RDC Shafih Ntuuyo commended the initiative and urged more farmers to participate.
Brian Atugonza, representing the Chief Administrative Officer, emphasized the need for environmental conservation, particularly the protection of wetlands, to ensure sustainable irrigation practices.
