Farmers in the Greater Kibaale Sub-region are steadily embracing the government-backed Micro-scale Irrigation Scheme. The irrigation scheme aims to improve food production and reduce dependence on unpredictable rainfall.
Across Kagadi, Kibaale, and Kakumiro districts, more farmers are co-funding the system, installing water units, and turning previously dry seasons into productive periods.
According to data from the three districts, a total of 298 farmers have benefited from the scheme. Many more are still waiting for a chance to co-fund and join.
The irrigation system was introduced to enhance the production of crops and vegetables for both home consumption and market supply, while reducing over-dependence on rainfall.
Kagadi District Agricultural Officer Desire Mpalana said 80 farmers have co-funded the system over the last two financial years (2023/2024 and 2024/2025), and a total of 65.5 acres have been irrigated under the scheme so far.
‘The district has seven demonstration farms where we conduct farmer training. Three irrigation methods are applied: sprinklers, drag hoses, and drip lines. A farmer co-funds, depending on the size of land they want to irrigate,’ Mr Mpalana said in an interview with the Daily Monitor early this week.
Mr Hassan Matovu, the principal agricultural officer for Kibaale District, said the central government has spent more than Shs1.82 billion on the system in the district. He added that 83 water systems and eight demonstration farms have been installed.
‘This technology aims to promote consistent production and increased food and vegetable growing. It works best for small-scale farmers, though it can also be applied in large-scale farming,’ he said.
Mr Matovu explained that the government contributes 75 percent of the installation cost, while farmers pay the remaining 25 percent.
Although the scheme faced initial challenges, he said uptake has gradually improved. He advised co-funding farmers to plan strategically to remain competitive and profitable. Mr Matovu said farmers must meet certain requirements to qualify for the scheme, including having access to a reliable water source, the ability to co-fund, and sufficient land for production.
In Kakumiro District, agricultural engineer Joseph Kwezi said crops such as pineapples, coffee, watermelon, pastures, passion fruit, tomatoes, and other food crops perform well under the irrigation system.
‘Regular water supply boosts both quality and quantity of production,’ he said, adding that the system enables farmers to more easily enter the money economy.
He said 720 farmers expressed interest in the system, 580 farms were assessed by the technical team, and 171 farmers committed Shs1 million each.
He, however, said only 113 systems were installed, leaving a deficit of 58 due to funding limitations. Mr Kwezi added that the demand for the system in Kakumiro is now higher than when it was first introduced.
Mr Everest Murubya of Mugarama Sub-county in Kibaale District said the irrigation system has helped increase his income.
‘After the installation, I grew two acres of pastures for my animals. This has increased milk production, and I now earn daily from milk sales,’ he said.
He also grows passion fruit and watermelon to supplement his income. Fr Godfrey Kirabo, a beneficiary in Kagadi District, said the system has significantly reduced reliance on rainwater.
‘As farmers, we depend on rainfall, which delays production. This system allows timely farming throughout the year,’ he said, adding that productivity now depends more on the farmer’s dedication and availability rather than the seasons. Mr Jonani Tumusiime, a coffee farmer in Mugarama, said he is willing to co-fund but has not yet been selected.
‘My coffee would be doing better with a reliable water supply. On my three-acre farm, I currently harvest eight sacks instead of the 16 I would expect at peak harvest,’ he noted.
Another beneficiary, Ms Aisha Kanyarutoke, said proceeds from her tomato and watermelon harvests on a four-acre farm have enabled her to buy a plot of land, pay school fees, and meet household needs. However, she pointed out that pesticides are becoming increasingly expensive, making pest control difficult.
‘To increase productivity, we want the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry to support us with the right seed varieties and affordable pest-control measures,’ she said.