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.
“There has been a big change. I previously relied on rain-fed agriculture, which came with challenges such as drought. Last year, the dry spell almost wiped out my coffee plantation,” Mubangizi said.
“After installing the irrigation system, I’ve expanded my coffee acreage from 2.5 acres to 5 acres. I’m confident about production even during dry seasons.”
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.
“I contributed about Shs 10 million as part of the co-funding. The system, which is solar-powered, helps me irrigate my coffee, vegetables, and other crops. It has made water readily available, and I no longer worry about drought,” he said.
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.
“In the 2024/2025 financial year, the government contributed Shs 487 million while farmers co-funded Shs 186 million. As a result, 28 farmers have acquired irrigation equipment, covering over 70 acres of irrigated land, and more than 300 farmers have been trained in agronomy and irrigated agriculture,” Mpeeka explained.
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.
“With the irrigation systems and fertilizer support, we expect improved yields. We are encouraging farmers to maintain proper field sanitation to enhance both quality and quantity of produce,” Kayongo said.
While commissioning the projects, Assistant RDC Shafih Ntuuyo commended the initiative and urged more farmers to participate.
“This is a great step toward sustainable agriculture. The public should embrace and support such projects to improve productivity and household incomes,” Ntuuyo said.
Brian Atugonza, representing the Chief Administrative Officer, emphasized the need for environmental conservation, particularly the protection of wetlands, to ensure sustainable irrigation practices.
Hillary Tumusiime, the Secretary for Social Services, called for the expansion of microscale irrigation to benefit more farmers across the district.
The government, through MAAIF, is currently implementing the UgIFT Microscale Irrigation Program in 135 districts across Uganda, aimed at strengthening climate resilience and promoting commercial agriculture.
