Kazo farmers reap big from Microscale Irrigation Programme

KAZO, June 18, 2025 — Smallholder farmers in Kazo district in Ankole Subregion are benefiting from the government’s Microscale Irrigation Programme, a transformative initiative designed to boost agricultural productivity and enhance climate resilience.

Implemented under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme [UgIFT], the project is reshaping farming practices across the district, with visible and lasting impacts.

According to Agricultural Engineer Tumwijukye Innocent, the programme has already delivered tangible results.

“We’ve seen great progress. I continue to train farmers on how to properly use and maintain the irrigation systems in place. This is crucial for sustainability,” he said.

The programme was officially rolled out in Kazo during the 2022/2023 financial year, beginning with two demonstration sites, one in Kanoni Sub-county focusing on coffee, and another in Kyampangara Sub-county specialising in banana farming. These sites have since evolved into vibrant centers of learning and practical skills development.

District Principal Agricultural Officer John Baptist Asimwe praised the initiative for empowering farmers.

“These interventions have enabled our farmers to grow more consistently, even in dry seasons,” he noted.

Over the past three financial years, the number of demonstration farms has grown, and the district now supports 45 individual beneficiaries. However, Asimwe acknowledged that limited resources remain a challenge amidst rising demand.

Zefrine Tumwesigye, the District Production Officer, commended the farmers for their dedication.

“We’re committed to supporting all the farmers who have benefited so far, and we are ready to expand this support as resources allow,” she said.

Hajji Badru Mayanja also extended appreciation to the government and its development partners.

“Thanks to UgIFT, farmers can now procure and use micro-irrigation systems. This has revolutionized farming at the grassroots,” he said.

LC5 Chairperson Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda urged beneficiaries to use the systems responsibly.

“This programme is a rare opportunity. I encourage all beneficiaries to make the most of it and use the equipment responsibly,” he said.

The true impact of the programme is reflected in the experiences of local farmers.

Rev. Geoffrey Katebarirwe, a coffee farmer in Kazo Town Council, has transformed his plantation into a model farm with the help of the irrigation system. His success has become a source of inspiration for the entire community.

In Kanoni Sub-county, farmer Didas Twikirize has turned his farm into a practical demonstration centre where others come to learn about modern irrigation techniques.

Meanwhile, in Engari Sub-county, Abel Besiga and his wife Mebel Kirabo shared how the irrigation system has improved both the yield and quality of their banana plantation.

“Our livelihood has improved greatly, and we are truly grateful for the support,” they said.

Another enthusiastic beneficiary, Moses Mwebaze, highlighted the benefits of year-round farming.

“I no longer worry about dry spells. My farm produces consistently, and I now have a market in Juba, South Sudan,” he proudly shared.

Background

The Micro-scale Irrigation Programme supports farmers to purchase and use individual irrigation equipment. The Program supports farmers in purchasing the irrigation equipment through a matching grant scheme, in which the cost of the equipment is co-financed by the farmer and the government.

The programme caps the support to 2.5 acres [1 hectare], thus it is expected to benefit mainly smallholder farmers interested to transition from mainly subsistence to more commercial agriculture.

In addition, the farmer receives complementary services such as extension support in irrigated agriculture. Introduction of irrigation will help smallholder farmers grow crops all year.

Farmers will be able to cope with dry spells, produce during the dry season, transition to higher value crops, such as horticultural crops and coffee, and hit the market when prices are more advantageous.

The Micro-scale Irrigation Programme is led by the Department of Agricultural Infrastructure Mechanisation and Water for Agricultural Production of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries [MAAIF]. The programme is in line with Uganda’s National Irrigation Policy which aims to create 1.5 million hectares of irrigated land by the year 2040.

https://thecooperator.news/irrigation-project-targets-over-3000-farmers-in-climate-change-fight/

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