Buyende district commissioned 31 small scale irrigation systems

7 September 2026, 10:04 am

Ali lukomo

In abide to create a nature friendly mechanism of agriculture the government is trying it’s Best to provide equipments for irrigation and yesterday in buyende district farmers officially were allowed to use their package.

Accodding to the buyede resistance district commissioner Mr Mwidu kalikwani, this system is used to gap the season especially after detecting the dry spell zeroing different regions and buyende is part of them.

The programme, funded by the Government of Uganda under the Financial Year 2025/2026 budget, has a funding allocation of UGX 770 million. Under the programme, farmers are supported to acquire irrigation equipment, with each farmer required to contribute 25% of the total cost. The cost of an irrigation equipment unit ranges between approximately UGX 23 million and UGX 28 million.

During the monitoring exercise, farmers expressed appreciation for the programme, particularly for its role in enabling them to continue agricultural production during prolonged dry seasons. Irrigation provides farmers with a reliable source of water, reducing their dependence on unpredictable rainfall and helping to improve food production and household incomes.

Farmers also noted that irrigation enables them to produce crops when supply is relatively low, allowing them to access better market prices and improve the profitability of their agricultural enterprises.

However despite the positive response, a number of challenges were observed. One of the major concerns raised by farmers was the 25% co-funding requirement, which remains relatively high for many low-income farmers. Given that irrigation equipment costs between UGX 23 million and UGX 28 million, the farmer’s contribution can amount to approximately UGX 5.75 million to UGX 7 million, making participation difficult for some potential beneficiaries.

Another important observation was the limited participation of young people in the programme. During the monitoring exercise, all the beneficiaries visited were aged above 50 years. This raises concern about the sustainability and intergenerational transfer of agricultural enterprises, particularly at a time when many young people are seeking opportunities for employment and income generation.

I “do recommend that to maximise the benefits of the Microscale Irrigation Programme in Buyende District, there is a need for deliberate mobilisation and sensitisation of young people to encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities provided through irrigation-supported agriculture said RDC”.

There is also a need to review the 25% co-funding requirement, particularly for low-income and vulnerable farmers, so that more households can participate in the programme. Consideration could be given to flexible financing arrangements or other mechanisms that can make irrigation equipment more accessible to farmers.

The buyende district ingineer Mr Matai Banakola said the government is investigating much because ist malt purpose. It can be used for both domestic use andin the garden plus animals as he explains

Mr Matai Banakola photoed pointing at solar panels used in Nkone

Furthermore, beneficiaries should be encouraged to move beyond subsistence production and invest in high value and market oriented crops, including coffee and cocoa, alongside other suitable crops. This would enable farmers to maximise the benefits of irrigation, increase household incomes, create employment opportunities and contribute to the economic transformation of communities in Buyende.

Therefore Microscale Irrigation Programme presents a significant opportunity to transform agriculture in Buyende District by enabling farmers to produce throughout the year, withstand the effects of prolonged dry seasons and access more profitable markets.

However, for the programme to achieve its full potential, greater youth participation, affordable farmer co-funding and a stronger focus on high-value commercial agriculture will be essential.