Renovation of Agoro irrigation scheme did more harm than good

25 September 2023, 6:21 pm

By Otim Moses

The rehabilitation works at Agoro Irrigation Scheme that was intended to supply more water to farms and increase production of crops has done more harms than good to the farmers who say their fields no longer receive adequate water for irrigation.

According to the farmers, there were technical errors in the works that left the fields higher than the canals making it impossible for water to freely flow into the fields.

The farmers raised these concerns on Saturday 23/9/2023 when the Lamwo County Member of Parliament, Hon Okullu Anthony Abuka and the chief justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo visited the scheme in the company of a consultant from Ambitious Construction Compony on a fact finding mission.

Hon. Okeny Watson Kilama, the Agoro Sub County Secretary for Production and Marketing said the renovation was more of a curse than a blessing since the yields have drastically dropped. He added that people have drowned in the canals and many have sustained injuries.

Hon Abuka noted that the technical errors at the scheme have reduced the farmers’ productivity adding that funds need to be allocated so that the errors are corrected.

Justice Owiny-Dollo said once the technical error has dealt a blow to Agoro Irrigation Scheme. He asked locals to support the government’s efforts to transform them by allowing investors to use their land. He emphasized that no land will be grabbed from the communities.