Jomo Oyet (right) interacting with Idro and a local farmer during the farmer sensitization week in Omoro district. Photos by Arnest Tumwesige
By Arnest Tumwesige
Omoro: Small-scale farmers have expressed concerns over the high co-payment required to access micro-irrigation systems under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Program (UgIFT).
UgIFT, a component of the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Reform Program (IFTRP) supported by the World Bank, is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).
Under this program, farmers must contribute 25% of the cost for solar-powered irrigation systems and 75% for motorized irrigation systems.
However, during an awareness session in Omoro District, organized by the production department and attended by civil society organizations, farmers highlighted that the co-financing requirement has discouraged many from applying.
Godfrey Oyet Jomo, the District Production Officer, acknowledged the low participation rates but encouraged farmers to form groups to pool resources for the required contribution.
He also urged partner organizations such as Capable International Uganda, which currently supports 46 farmer groups 30 of which are active in Omoro District to assist them in acquiring these systems.
Capable Pledges Support
During the engagement, Dominic Idro, Co-Director of Capable Uganda, raised concerns about the Ugandan government’s role in ensuring that World Bank-funded initiatives effectively benefit small-scale farmers.
“All the funding so far comes from the World Bank. I expected the government to cover the co-financing percentage. Otherwise, the government’s input seems minimal, as they only encourage farmers to apply without addressing affordability concerns,” Idro stated.
Nonetheless, Idro pledged to support farmer groups affiliated with Capable Uganda by providing soft loans equivalent to the co-financing amount required.
“We will help our groups acquire these systems. Once installed, they can engage in dry-season vegetable farming. The proceeds will go back to the groups, making them self-sustaining. Over time, they can establish internal loan systems to support further agricultural activities,” he explained.
Currently, Capable Uganda supports 80 farmer groups in the Acholi sub-region, covering Omoro, Lamwo, and Nwoya districts, with a total membership exceeding 2,400 farmers.
Agnes Akello a 32 year old and resident of Labora sub-county said the poverty among small scale farmers cannot allow one to think about acquiring such irrigation systems.
Progress of the Micro-Irrigation Project
In the last financial year, Omoro District returned UGX 640 million to the central treasury due to underutilization of funds. However, the government has reallocated the money to the district for further project implementation.
To date, 17 micro-solar irrigation systems have been installed since the project’s launch, with five more installations planned.
Omoro County Member of Parliament, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in alleviating household poverty, particularly in seasons of low farm productivity.
“It is ironic that farmers produce cash crops like soybeans but end up selling them just to buy food for their families. They should strike a balance between food and cash crop production to break the cycle of poverty,” Ojok stated.
He further encouraged farmers to embrace market-driven production under the Parish Development Model (PDM) to maximize their economic potential.
Concerns Over Male Abdication of Responsibilities
Omoro District Chairperson, Douglas Peter Okello, criticized the increasing trend of men abandoning their responsibilities, leaving women to single-handedly provide for their families.
“Many men now spend their days drinking instead of engaging in productive activities, worsening poverty levels within households,” Okello remarked.
With 98% of families in Omoro engaged in subsistence farming, he reiterated that the UgIFT program targets small-scale farmers, encouraging them to adopt intensive vegetable farming for quick and profitable returns.
About the UgIFT Program
The Micro-Scale Irrigation Program supports farmers in purchasing and utilizing individual irrigation equipment through a matching grant scheme, where costs are shared between farmers and the government. The program aligns with Uganda’s National Irrigation Policy, which aims to establish 1.5 million hectares of irrigated land by 2040.
