Kitgum district rallies farmers to embrace small-scale irrigation

KITGUM – Kitgum district agricultural department is rallying small-scale farmers in the district to embrace the use of small-scale irrigation technology as one of mitigating climate change.

The agricultural department last week ferried 50 small-scale farmers to Amuru district where they were able to farmers about small-scale irrigation technology.

Alfred Omony, the Kitgum district agricultural officer said the district is experiencing less rain that cannot sufficiently support agriculture in the district.

He said that his department allocated some Shs 334 million for sensitisation of farmers and procurement of irrigation equipment.

According to Omony, by enrolling farmers into using irrigation schemes for farming, farmers are able to engage themselves in farming all seasons, regardless of the presence of rain or not

“We want our farmers to embrace technology, especially at a time when the government through its partners has committed some money, because, with the current change in weather patterns, we are doomed,” Omony said.

Christopher Obol Arwai, the Kitgum district LCV chairperson said the target is to have farmers especially those around wetlands, streams, and or rivers enrolled into micro irrigation systems  since they have ready water sources.

Obol said that the district council has already allocated some Shs 800mln to fund the procurement of small-scale irrigation machines to farmers who will be able to pay up their 25 percent co-funding.

“As a district, we are supporting our farmers with money, but they have to pay some money for them to own the machines, I believe that will go a long way in improving their household income,” Obol said.

Cyprian Onyango, a vegetable farmer based in Corner-Alango, in Kitgum Municipality, said he is having a difficult time growing his vegetables, adding that he uses watering cans to irrigate his garden.

According to Onyango, watering his garden using watering cans costs him time and money since he has to transport the water and also pay people who help in watering his one-acre garden of tomatoes, cabbages, and okra.

“I am sure with technologies like the irrigation machines, at a subsidised price, he will be able to earn a lot more than what he is earning now since work would have been eased, as well costs ran down,” Onyango said.

Government through the Agriculture ministry is implementing the Micro Scale Irrigation Programme in several districts, with Amuru, Nwoya and Omoro districts being pilot districts in Acholi Sub-region.

https://thecooperator.news/amuru-risks-losing-over-shs-1-1bln-for-irrigation-equipment/

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