Government Launches Micro Scale Irrigation Initiative in Kagadi to Boost Agricultural Sustainability

9 February 2024, 8:35 am

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, in collaboration with Kagadi district local government, convened a high-level stakeholders’ awareness meeting yesterday (Thursday) to inaugurate the micro-scale irrigation program at Kagadi Community Hall in Kagadi town council.

Attended by Lc3 chairpersons, sub-county chiefs, parish chiefs, community development officers, agriculture officers, and district councilors, the meeting focused on the implementation of the program, as explained by Grace Byansansa, Senior Engineer from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.

This initiative falls under Cluster 6 and will be executed across 35 lower local governments, including sub-counties and town councils, commencing from the financial year 2022/2023.

The primary objective of the program is to encourage the adoption of micro-scale irrigation kits among smallholder farmers, facilitating water access for production purposes.

Mr. Grace emphasized that government support is significant, with a contribution of 75% amounting to 18 million shillings, while participating farmers are only required to pay a commitment fee of one million shillings to enroll in the program.

Desire Mparana, the focal person for Kagadi district’s micro-scale irrigation program, disclosed that the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, has allocated 600 million shillings for the program.

Mparana urged interested individuals to register promptly with their respective agricultural officers at sub-county and district levels to seize this opportunity.

He further highlighted the program’s main goal, which is to ensure sustainable agriculture, especially during drought seasons, and to bolster food security among citizens.

During an exclusive interview with our reporter, participants expressed their appreciation for the program, citing the challenges they face during dry seasons.

However, some participants voiced concerns that the initial one million shillings requirement may excessively benefit richer individuals.

Participants on Benefiting rich