Lira: Mismanagement leads to takeover of rice irrigation scheme from local cooperative

LIRA, October 28, 2025 — The Department of Agriculture in Lira district has taken over the management of the Itek-Okile Rice Irrigation Scheme in an effort to boost rice production in the area.

The irrigation scheme had previously been managed by the Olweny Itek-Okile Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.

According to Patrick Alip, the Lira District Senior Agricultural Officer, government has so far invested approximately Shs 50 billion in the irrigation project. However, rice production activities have come to a halt in recent years due to mismanagement, forcing the district authorities to take over the project.

“There has been mismanagement for more than five years, leading to reduced production, conflicts among community members, and the destruction of project facilities despite government investments of over Shs 50 billion,” Alip said.

“We couldn’t just stand by and watch the project collapse. The district leadership will now manage the scheme directly to ensure it achieves its intended goals, thus improving farmers’ wellbeing through increasing rice production.”

Alip noted that one of the key challenges discovered by the district was the silting of drainage systems, which had caused flooding of the rice fields.

“The drainage systems should be desilted every four years, but the cooperative failed to carry this out, causing blockages and flooding in the rice fields,” he added.

“The cooperative also received a grant that created confusion within its leadership, further affecting its ability to manage the scheme effectively.”

He outlined several short-, medium-, and long-term measures aimed at reviving the irrigation project.

“We intend to mobilise all farmers back to their fields and engage the Ministry of Water and Environment to work on the drainage channels. We will also strengthen agricultural extension services and train rice farmers in good agronomic practices to boost production. Additionally, we plan to enhance bulking, processing, and marketing, activities that were previously handled by the cooperative,” Alip said.

“We will ensure farmers receive the best technological and financial support from the government and development partners to increase rice productivity, improve food security, and stabilise household incomes.”

Meanwhile, Haris Okii, Chairperson of the Olweny Itek-Okile Rice Growers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, blamed the district leadership for the scheme’s mismanagement, accusing it of failing to address the cooperative’s leadership crisis.

“I blame the district for the mismanagement of the irrigation scheme because it failed to play its part, such as maintaining the road network, constructing infrastructure, and resolving the leadership disputes that paralysed the cooperative,” Okii said.

He criticised the district’s decision to take over the project, insisting that the cooperative remains the rightful manager of the irrigation scheme.

“I do not welcome the takeover because the project site was provided by the farmers and is supposed to be managed through their cooperative. The original project document clearly states that the cooperative is responsible for managing the scheme, while the district only collects revenue from it,” Okii explained.

Okii said the leadership crisis had disrupted operations, forcing many farmers to sell unprocessed rice to middlemen at low prices while others abandoned cultivating. However, he revealed that the cooperative leaders were in talks with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] secure a grant to desilt the drainage channels.

“As a cooperative, we are now working with the Ministry of Agriculture to obtain funding for desilting the drainage systems,” he said.

Julius Jota, Block Leader for the Right Block Four [4R] in Okile Zone, said farmers lack the resources to maintain the irrigation system, resulting in flooding during heavy rains.

“When it rains heavily, the dams overflow and water floods the fields, making cultivation difficult. Farmers cannot clear the main drainage channels because they require excavators to remove the silt,” Jota explained.

He also noted that many farmers lack a proper planting schedule and urged the new management to establish one to improve coordination.

Despite the challenges, Jota acknowledged that rice farming has significantly improved livelihoods.

“Through rice cultivation, many farmers have been able to build permanent homes and pay school fees for their children,” he said.

The Itek-Okile Rice Irrigation Scheme is part of the former Olweny Rice Irrigation Project, which spans the sub-counties of Itek, Bar, Agali, Amac, and Agwata Town Council in Dokolo District. The scheme supports more than 2,500 rice farmers.

https://thecooperator.news/youth-cooperative-in-lira-city-seeks-coffee-hulling-machine/

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