NEBBI, November 5, 2024 – Caritas Uganda, a prominent non-governmental organisation, has launched an initiative to promote water for agricultural production in the rural areas of West Nile where farmers currently depend on rainfed agriculture, which is not sustainable given the effects of climate change.
Supported by Caritas Norway, the organisation has undertaken extensive research and engaged in dialogues with key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, and farmers, to highlight the benefits of water for production programmes in the country.
This development was shared with this reporter by Godfrey Onetho Otwi, the Research and Policy Advocacy Coordinator at Caritas Uganda, in an exclusive interview following a recent dialogue with stakeholders from Greater Nebbi districts [Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo] at Nebbi Parish Hall.
Expanding the dialogue on water for production
Onetho explained that a separate dialogue was held in Jinja and Buyenda districts, with additional discussions planned for Lira, Gulu, and other regions to gather resolutions that will be presented to the government. “After completing these dialogues, we plan to submit our findings to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], the Ministry of Water and Environment [MWE], and the Ministry of Finance,” Onetho said.
He also called on local governments in the country to raise awareness about the importance of water for production programmes through media campaigns and to ensure proper coordination among all stakeholders involved to ensure the success of the initiative.
Government efforts and slow progress
The Ugandan government, in collaboration with international partners like the World Bank and the Global Green Growth Initiative (GGGI), has implemented various micro-scale irrigation systems to support rural farmers under the Co-funded Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer [UGIFT]. However, the programs are progressing slowly.
To date, valley dams, large-scale irrigation systems, and fish ponds have been set up to serve as community-based solutions for fish farming, livestock watering, and horticultural irrigation.
Resolutions from stakeholders
Following the dialogue in Greater Nebbi, a cross-section of local government officials, NGO representatives, and farmers proposed several resolutions. Among them, they committed to lobbying the central government for preferential consideration for poor farmers, expanding irrigation options, and raising awareness among farmers. They also recommended the protection of catchment areas and the promotion of alternative methods such as watering cans, treadle pumps, and bottle drip irrigation. Additionally, the group called for the availability of soft loans and requested extension support for farmers.
Onetho noted that the decline in agricultural production in some regions is partly due to the adverse effects of climate change, leading to food insecurity in certain areas. “The government and NGOs have been working hard to address these challenges by providing micro-scale irrigation equipment and supporting projects like valley dams in Acwera [Padwot Sub-county], Ayombira [Atego Sub-county], Pabango [Akworo Sub-county], and Nyakiro [Panyimur Sub-county],” Onetho said.
Challenges and opportunities in irrigation
Joyce Piwa, a board member of Caritas Nebbi Catholic Diocese, expressed concerns over the affordability of co-funding under UGIFT for rural farmers. She called on the government to consider waiving taxes on irrigation equipment. Piwa shared a success story from Boro Panyimur Sub-county, where a small-scale irrigation scheme has been particularly effective, encouraging other farmers to follow suit. “I encourage farmers to work hard to acquire such equipment,” Piwa added.
Consulate Angeyango, a Senior Water Engineer for Nebbi district, expressed confidence in the water for production program, emphasizing Uganda’s untapped potential for irrigation. “As a country, we have yet to fully utilize our irrigation potential, which is currently at only 0.5 percent, so there’s a lot of room for growth,” he said.
Angeyango also highlighted the availability of water sources, land, and sunshine, which make solar-powered irrigation a viable solution. He appealed to suppliers of irrigation equipment to establish local outlets in Nebbi to serve farmers in the region, pointing out that traveling to Gulu or Arua to purchase equipment is costly.
Addressing the mindset shift
Emmy Kakura Kizito, Executive Director of Life Concern, a CBO based in Zombo district, suggested that there should be a targeted approach to changing mindsets, especially among youth, women, and people with disabilities. “We recently worked with the Church of Uganda in Zombo town to train 300 farmers under a ‘school project saving’ initiative. The farmers were surprised at how much they could save and benefit,” Kakura said.
He emphasised the importance of outreach and education to help farmers understand the value of collective effort and sustainable practices.
Kakura also noted that many farmers have already acquired irrigation equipment, such as pumps and permits, but often lack the knowledge or personnel to install and maintain these systems effectively.
Status of water for production in Greater Nebbi
Robert Jalobo, Senior Agricultural Engineer for Pakwach district, provided an update on the status of water for production in the region. He highlighted the Wadelai Rice Irrigation Scheme, which covers 1,000 hectares of land, with 800 hectares currently under cultivation.
At least 50 farmers along the River Nile use watering cans, while half of them have invested in sprinklers, drip tapes, and hand-move sprinklers. The Wadelai Irrigation Scheme was constructed with funding from the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Government of Uganda, the Nordic Fund for Development, and the African Development Bank.
The national irrigation policy aims to bring 1.5 million hectares of land under irrigation by 2040, which could significantly improve food security and agricultural production.
The global context
A 2023 global report on water use noted that agriculture consumes about 70 percent of the world’s freshwater, and in low-income countries, this figure can be as high as 90 percent. Irrigation has proven effective in boosting crop yields and improving nutrition in many countries, making it a crucial element in agricultural development.
Local leaders support water for production programme
At the dialogue in Nebbi, political leaders and farmers’ representatives expressed their support for the water for production initiative. They highlighted the challenges posed by poverty, climate change, and market demand but emphasised the importance of a collective effort to tackle these issues.
Deogracius Munguriek, a farmer from Zombo district, acknowledged the challenges posed by erratic weather patterns but recognised the potential benefits of co-funding programmes. He also noted that many farmers are struggling with limited resources.
Chris Olokchan Okwir, from Boro Catholic Parish in Pakwach, emphasized the need for thorough assessments of water sources, proper documentation, and educating farmers on the benefits of working together as a community. In Boro, the introduction of micro-scale irrigation by Caritas Nebbi Catholic Diocese has led to significant improvements in the production of ground nuts.
Encouraging adoption of irrigation technology
Geoffrey Okello Anecho, the Vice-Chairperson of Nebbi District, encouraged extension workers to establish small-scale irrigation systems in their areas to inspire ordinary farmers. “Use your salary to establish small-scale irrigation so that farmers can join in,” Okello said, urging farmers not to be discouraged by the challenges of adopting the programme.
He also raised concerns about the tendency for allocated funds for agricultural projects to be redirected to the national treasury at the end of the financial year, slowing down progress on such initiatives.
Government commitment to water for production
Nebbi District Deputy Resident Commissioner, Paul Bwire Ogallo, highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting water for production as a tool for socio-economic transformation. “Let’s be ambassadors of this project and raise the bar for socio-economic transformation,” Bwire said, challenging farmers to focus on the long-term benefits of the program rather than the challenges of co-funding.
According to the Ministry of Water and Environment, as of 2020, less than 2 percent of Uganda’s water is used for production. However, demand for water for agriculture is expected to rise significantly due to the impacts of climate change and the degradation of natural resources.
The water for production programme presents a promising opportunity to boost agricultural productivity, alleviate food insecurity, and mitigate the impacts of climate change in the rural areas of Uganda.
However, for the programme to succeed, strong coordination among stakeholders, increased investment in irrigation infrastructure, and a commitment to educating and empowering farmers are essential. The recent dialogues across the West Nile region have laid a solid foundation for further action, and it is clear that a collaborative approach will be key to overcoming the challenges faced by rural farmers.
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