Government to establish irrigation schemes in parishes countrywide

GERALD MATEMBU

The Ministry of Water and Environment has unveiled plans to establish irrigation facilities in all parish across the country in a bid to enable farmers deal with the effects of global warming.

The revelation was made by the permanent secretary in the ministry Alfred Okot Okidi during the ministry’s top management retreat in Mbale.

Okot noted that the ministry is yet to release a national irrigation master plan which will guide the implementation of the project.

This year, Uganda has had one of the longest dry spells in recent times.

The situation has left farmers in suspense due to the delayed rains.

However, there is a ray of hope for farmers following plans by government to establish irrigation facilities in all parishes across the country.

The project will be funded with loans from World Bank, Exim Bank and others.

Government will also support progressive farmers to establish small dams.

Okot urged the public to be proactive through adoption of environment smart solutions at family and individual level.

Farmers in Uganda continue to rely on rain fed agriculture which makes them more vulnerable to climatic change.