Rukungiri Targets 40 Farmers Under New Government Irrigation Project
Rukungiri: The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), together with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), has launched the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) component of the Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project (ICRP) in Rukungiri District, targeting 40 farmers.
The launch was held on November 11, at Rukungiri District Council Hall and was presided over by the Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom.
The event was attended by ministry officials, the Principal Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Fatima Kamanzi, the District Vice LCV Chairperson, James Turyamuboona, district executive members, farmers and agricultural extension workers, among others.
According to Rukungiri District Senior Agricultural Engineer Alfred Ahumuza, the project targets smallholder farmers with between 2.5 and 5 acres of land.
He explained that the project will operate under a co-funding arrangement in which farmers contribute 25 percent of the total cost of irrigation equipment, while the government covers the remaining 75 percent.
Ahumuza said the 40 selected farmers in Rukungiri have so far each contributed UGX 2 million, with the government providing additional funding to cover the cost of the irrigation equipment.
He added that the project will mainly support farmers engaged in high-value agricultural enterprises such as coffee growing, vegetable production and fruit farming.
The project aims to increase access to modern irrigation technologies, improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and help farmers cope with climate change.
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The Principal Engineer in charge of Irrigation and Drainage at MAAIF, Engineer Titus Niwamanya, said the project is being implemented in only seven districts across Uganda: Kanungu, Rukungiri, Tororo, Mukono, Isingiro, Mpigi and Wakiso.
He said the project targets 280 farmers, with each district expected to benefit 40 farmers, and is valued at USD 169.2 million.
Niwamanya explained that the project is being implemented jointly by the two ministries, with the Ministry of Water and Environment responsible for environmental matters, while the Ministry of Agriculture handles the irrigation component.
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Meanwhile, Deputy RDC Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom urged the beneficiaries to properly maintain the irrigation equipment to ensure it serves them for a long time.
He noted that the machines would require regular servicing and called on agricultural extension workers in the sub-counties to remain active on the ground and provide farmers with the necessary technical support.
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