Atabuga Christopher one of the beneficiaries irrigating the farm. Photos by Marko Taibot
By Marko Taibot
Adjumani: Leaders of the Maaji III small-scale irrigation scheme in Adjumani district intend to reduce the number of members in the group for optimal use of the scheme.
The Maaji III block small-scale irrigation scheme, located in Maaji III refugee settlement was established at shs156m under the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in the financial year of 2022/2023.
The irrigation scheme was established to improve the nutrition and income of the refugees in the settlement.
Since May 2023, 95 farmers, including eight nationals, have been registered as beneficiaries of the scheme sitting on a two-acre piece of land.
However, Mark Akuti, the chairperson of the small-scale irrigation farm, said only 30 out of the 95 members are actively growing vegetables on the farm, a reason they have decided to choose only members willing to work.
Akuti said besides reducing the number of members, they will draw a duty rota, because of the members’ poor attitude towards work.
He added that they have also started a mindset change campaign for the beneficiaries so that they make the best use of the irrigation scheme.
Akuti said that although the project started at a small pace, they are going to double their efforts for more benefits since the landlord gave them the land to use for 20 years.
Among the plans of the group is an expansion of the farm and nursery beds to generate between Shs5m to shs8m each season, and shs10 to shs15m annually.
Currently, several members of the group are learning how to manage seedbeds and vegetable gardens.
In the first ten months of using the irrigation scheme, the members raised shs2.8m from the sale of vegetables from the farm.
Members demand accountability
However, Betty Utua Dramundu, one of the group members, complained that she was on the team of persons involved in the sale of the vegetables, but there has been no accountability for the money raised.
“We have lost hope that is why you see no activity taking place here. We need full accountability for every money that we got last year,” Utua said.
Joyce Mitiripke, another beneficiary also complained that since May 2023, the leaders have not accounted for the money raised.
According to Mitiripke, in the first season, they got close to shs 1.5m, in the second season, they fetched shs 1m, and in the third season, they raised shs 300,000, but the leaders have not given accountability.
However, Akuti, the chairperson of the group, said they would hold a meeting to explain to them how the money will be spent.
“We are 95 in number, and if we distribute the money, it will be a drop in the ocean,” Akuti said.
On the other hand, Tereza Minzi, a member of the group, is happy that the farm has made her have vegetables for her family throughout the year.
Minzi explained that her household lacked food during the dry season, and her children were becoming malnourished because of food shortages.
“Now, when I come here [on the farm], I go back with small greens or tomatoes for my family,” Minzi said.
Reaction of leaders
Gertrude Lekuru, the community facilitator for DRDIP in Maaji, said the majority of the beneficiaries could be reluctant to dedicate their time because they are refugees who might be interested in going back to their countries.
Lekuru suggested that the group’s leaders share some of the profits among the members, instead of saving it all, or starting a revolving fund scheme so that members get immediate benefits.
Abubakar Gulam, the DRDIP Desk Officer of Adjumani, noted that the farmers are not optimally using the multimillion investment.
Gulam revealed that in the next phase of the project, only able and willing members will use the scheme, while the rest will offer menial labor.
Peter Taban Data, the Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, promised to closely monitor all the DRDIP projects to ensure value for money.
Data advised farmers to use the irrigation scheme as one of the ways to counter the effects of climate change and poverty.
“We should be producing a lot of vegetables even during the dry season,” Data said.
