Joint monitoring shows steady progress at Kapchorwa’s Sukut irrigation project
KAPCHORWA, March 18, 2026 — A joint monitoring and supervision exercise by Kapchorwa District Local Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] has revealed steady progress at the Sukut Demonstration Horticulture Farm, with the project expanding from 2.5 acres to 5.5 acres as more farmers embrace irrigation-based agriculture.
The farm, located in Sukut village, Munarya Subcounty, was established under agricultural development initiatives implemented in the 2021/2022 financial year to promote climate-smart agriculture and improve food production in Kapchorwa district.
Officials, engineers and farmers who visited the site on Monday said the project is increasingly serving its purpose as a demonstration farm, helping farmers to adopt micro-irrigation technologies that can sustain crop production during dry seasons when rainfall is unreliable.
The horticulture project focuses on onions, cabbage, collards and sukuma wiki, crops regarded as high-value enterprises with the potential to raise household incomes and improve food security.
Speaking during the monitoring visit, Andrew Kasibante, an Agricultural Engineer at MAAIF, said the ministry is promoting irrigation projects across the country to help farmers cope with the effects of climate change.
He said the Micro Irrigation Programme is aimed at increasing farm productivity through efficient water management systems, adding that demonstration sites such as Sukut give farmers practical exposure to irrigation technologies.
“This project is meant to demonstrate how small-scale irrigation systems can support farmers to produce crops throughout the year. Farmers can regulate water supply to crops and reduce dependence on rainfall,” Kasibante said.
He said the expansion of the Sukut project from 2.5 acres to 5.5 acres reflects growing farmer confidence in irrigation farming.
Kasibante added that the ministry remains committed to supporting districts with technical expertise and irrigation infrastructure to boost agricultural productivity.
Kapchorwa District Production and Marketing Officer, Filex Sabila, said the district was working closely with MAAIF to ensure farmers benefit from modern agricultural technologies.
He said horticulture is becoming an important enterprise in Kapchorwa because it offers quicker returns than many traditional crops.
According to Sabila, the Sukut demonstration farm is helping farmers acquire practical skills in irrigation management, pest and disease control, proper spacing and improved crop husbandry.
“We want farmers to learn from demonstration sites such as Sukut so that they can replicate these practices on their own farms and improve their production,” he said.
Sabila also said the project has created employment opportunities for surrounding communities.
“Since the establishment of the project, more than 110 casual workers have been employed, and many of them have acquired practical skills in vegetable production. These workers are now sharing the knowledge they gained with other farmers in Sukut and neighbouring communities in Munarya Subcounty,” he added.
Senior Agricultural Engineer Fred Kiprop Sukuku, who is also a farmer, said irrigation is critical to transforming agriculture in the district because it helps maintain consistent soil moisture needed for horticultural crops.
“As both an engineer and a farmer, I have seen the impact irrigation can make. It helps farmers increase productivity and ensure crops are not affected by dry spells,” Kiprop said.
He urged farmers to adopt improved practices such as soil fertility management, efficient water use and integrated pest control to maximise production.
The monitoring team also visited fields managed by the host farmer, Phillip Cherop, who coordinates activities at the Sukut farm.
Cherop said the project has attracted many farmers from surrounding villages who visit to learn modern vegetable-growing techniques, particularly how irrigation can support production during dry seasons.
“Farmers come here to observe how we manage onions, cabbage and collards under irrigation. Many of them are now adopting similar practices in their own gardens,” he said.
He added that the project has strengthened knowledge-sharing within the community and increased interest in horticulture.
However, he said the farm still faces challenges, including limited water sources during prolonged dry spells and the high cost of maintaining irrigation equipment.
He appealed to government and development partners to continue supporting irrigation projects to ensure their sustainability.
Officials concluded the visit by urging farmers in Kapchorwa district to take advantage of irrigation technologies to improve productivity and strengthen food security.
Experts say projects such as the Sukut Demonstration Horticulture Farm are likely to play an increasingly important role in promoting climate-resilient farming and raising farmers’ incomes in the region.
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