Solar-powered irrigation brings hope to refugees and host communities in West Nile

\ARUA CITY, February 3, 2025 – In the refugee-hosting districts of West Nile, solar-powered irrigation is transforming agriculture, bringing renewed hope to both refugees and their host communities. As the region contends with climate change, dwindling rainfall, and food insecurity, this innovative technology is helping smallholder farmers shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.

From survival to sustainability: The story of Alex Lodiong

Alex Lodiong’s journey as a refugee has been defined by hardship and resilience. Originally from South Sudan, Alex fled his homeland due to war and the devastating effects of climate change. Erratic weather patterns and prolonged droughts had made farming nearly impossible, leaving many like him reliant on food aid from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR] and the World Food Programme [WFP].

After arriving at Palorinya Refugee Settlement in Uganda, Alex and his family struggled to survive when food rations were reduced. Determined to regain control over his livelihood, he rented a small plot of land from a local host and began growing vegetables. Initially, he relied on a watering can for irrigation, later upgrading to a fuel-powered water pump. However, the high cost of fuel made this method unsustainable.

When he learned about solar-powered irrigation, Alex saw an opportunity for a more sustainable future. Through the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer [UGIFIT] Programme in Obongi District, he received a solar irrigation system. Today, he farms one acre of land in Alimara village, Itula sub-county, producing vegetables year-round. His earnings have significantly improved, and he no longer relies on food aid.

Refugee Farmers Earn Profits with Solar Irrigation

Edward Lubang, a 52-year-old refugee in Morobi Refugee Settlement, has also found success with solar irrigation. Starting with just Shs 300,000, he ventured into vegetable farming. Within three months, he earned Shs 5 million from his first harvest. His earnings increased to Shs 11mln in the second harvest and Shs 5mln in the third.

“Initially, it was tough, but now I own a tricycle to transport my produce to the market, I have built a better home, and my children go to school,” Lubang said. “Before, feeding my family was a challenge. Now, we eat fresh vegetables from our farm every day.”

Similarly, Gabriel Aliga, a member of the host community in Yakinemiji village, has turned to vegetable farming. After researching market trends, he began growing sukuma wiki, cabbages, tomatoes, and green peppers.

“Since November last year, I made Shs 2.7mln in profit from two acres. This year, my gross sales reached Shs 8 million, despite losing part of my crops to floods,” Aliga revealed.

Boosting Smallholder Farmers’ Productivity in Obongi

According to Johnson Opigo, the District Production Officer in Obongi, 64 smallholder farmers have adopted solar-powered irrigation. He believes integrating solar energy into agriculture is key to ensuring food security and environmental sustainability.

“West Nile has plenty of sunshine, allowing us to run these systems for over eight hours daily. With the River Nile nearby, farmers can now produce crops throughout the year,” Opigo noted.

Initially, farmers relied on fuel-powered pumps, but the district encouraged the transition to solar-powered systems due to their affordability and environmental benefits.

Expanding Solar Irrigation in Adjumani

In Adjumani District, the Atetapkwe Itego Youth Group in Maaji One Refugee Settlement is thriving. Established in 2021 with 10 members—four refugees and six nationals—the group has since grown to 21 members. Their first half-acre tomato harvest yielded Shs 3.5mln.

Group chairman Alumai Michael recalled how they struggled with inefficient fuel pumps before switching to solar-powered systems provided by Sun Culture.

“We bought our solar pump for Shs 1.65 million, with refugees receiving a 60% subsidy and host farmers a 50% subsidy from Ayuda en Acción,” Alumai explained.

Stephen Kanadaruku, another farmer from Pachara Sub-county, attested to the impact of solar irrigation. “For years, unpredictable rainfall led to losses. Since switching to solar-powered irrigation, my income has grown significantly.”

Tulima Solar, a company supporting smallholder farmers, has subsidised the cost of solar irrigation systems. Host communities can now acquire systems for Shs 900,000, while refugees pay Shs 720,000, down from Shs 1.8mln.

Improving Food Security and Livelihoods in Yumbe

In Yumbe District, the Umaku Farmer Field School, established in 2021 with 30 members, has reaped immense benefits from solar irrigation. Welthungerhilfe, an international NGO, set up the irrigation system, ensuring a consistent water supply.

“Before, unreliable rainfall caused massive losses. Now, we grow vegetables year-round and have saved Shs 6mln from last season,” said Yasin Ayimani, the group’s secretary.

The irrigation system has also improved access to clean drinking water, reducing the incidence of gender-based violence associated with long treks to fetch water. Kalisum Maneno, a group member, highlighted the benefits: “Previously, we shared water sources with animals, which led to diseases. Now, we have clean water, and our children and pregnant women have access to nutritious food.”

Scaling Up Irrigation in Terego

Joseph Nakuni,38, a father of five, has been producing vegetables on two acres along the River Enyau since 2022. With support from Danish Church Aid [DCA], he co-funded Shs 580,000 to acquire a solar irrigation kit worth Shs 2.8mln. His income has grown steadily, with earnings from tomatoes, okra, watermelon, and sweet potatoes reaching Shs 5mln per season.

“We started with bio-fresh potatoes for malnourished children, but with solar irrigation, I expanded into commercial farming,” Nakuni said. “Now, I urge development partners to support more farmers in adopting this technology.”

Terego District Agriculture Engineer Nicholas Munu assured farmers that technical teams would provide maintenance support for the irrigation systems in collaboration with NGOs.

The National Outlook on Solar Irrigation

The Micro-Scale Irrigation Programme, part of the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Reform Programme [IFTRP] and supported by the World Bank, aims to expand irrigation across the country. Under this initiative, government covers 75 percent of the irrigation system costs, with a maximum contribution of Shs 7.2 million per acre, with the farmer meeting 25 percent of the cost, although the government can only fund a maximum of 2.5 acres.

Solar-powered irrigation is also part of the Global Climate Change Alliance [GCCA] project, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries [MAAIF]. The project aims to strengthen resilience and improve food security in Uganda’s climate-vulnerable districts.

A Brighter future for the farmers

The shift to solar-powered irrigation is a game-changer for refugees and host communities in West Nile. Smallholder farmers can now cultivate high-value crops year-round by reducing their dependency on rain-fed agriculture and expensive fuel-powered systems, ensuring food security and economic stability. As more farmers adopt this technology, the region is poised for a more sustainable agricultural livelihood as they don’t have to depend on rain anymore, to farm.

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