SERERE, February 24, 2025 –– Farmers in Kateta Subcounty, Serere district, have been encouraged to embrace commercial farming following the commissioning a new irrigation scheme.
This statement was made by Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Water and Environment, on Wednesday in Kateta Subcounty during the handover of the project to the local communities.
He mentioned that due to climate change, the sector reliant on rain is facing numerous challenges, making irrigation schemes a priority investment.
“I thank our government for making irrigation a priority investment, which will save many lives,” Okidi said.
He then urged the community to embrace the project, noting that much of the capacity remains underutilised, and therefore, it should be directed towards commercial farming.
Okidi also appealed to successful farmers not to keep their knowledge to themselves, saying they should share their success factors with upcoming farmers and those who are struggling.
“This is your investment, it is your property, and therefore I urge you to protect it jealously,” Okidi added.
He pledged to improve small water systems, stating that they will provide high-quality water services.
According to him, two people have been trained to manage the system from within the community, and they will continue to employ local residents.
“Make sure that you support those who are going to manage the system and the small user fee paid to them to sustain the system,” Okidi continued.
Stephen Ochola, the Chairperson of Serere District, commended the government for the great initiative, saying that the area had suffered for a long time.
He stated that the principle of socio-economic transformation can only be realised if the government promotes the expansion of water for production in rural areas like Serere.
“We have started here, but we want to expand to other areas as well,” Ochola said.
Ochola noted that enterprise selection should be key and that he prefers any issues identified during the monitoring and supervision of the project to be corrected.
He also called for affirmative action on rehabilitating some of the dams, as floods are becoming more frequent due to rising water levels in areas near the lake.
Meanwhile, Amos Ocola, the Chairperson of the Local Council III in Kateta Subcounty, requested that the government add another system, as Kateta has a larger population, with 8 parishes and 40 villages.
He also mentioned that while people want projects, they often avoid work once they receive them, preferring to idle rather than engage.
“People want projects, but once they are given, it’s as if they want us, their leaders, to pick them up from their homes to go and work,” Ocola said.
He claimed that the biggest issue they face is a mindset change, stating that people need to be sensitised about the benefits of commercial farming and enterprise selection.
Agnes Atim, a resident of Onyara village in Kateta Subcounty, said they have been suffering from health issues, and as women, they sometimes end up drowning in the lake in search of water.
“We are happy today, as this water will help us for domestic use and for our animals as well,” Atim said.
Mary Asio added that their children will no longer go to school late, as the water source is now close by, and she believes their performance in class will improve as a result.
David Okoi, a farmer, said that they can now generate income to improve their households, as they can plant crops throughout the season.
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