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BY DENISH ODONGO
DOKOLO: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2024
Two farmers’ groups in Dokolo district comprising 52 members have received irrigation facilities, marking the beginning of a transformative journey to cushion them from the adverse effects of poor weather.
Ayemedo ngeca farmers groups (32 farmers) in Amwoma parish and Community initiatives for better livelihood (20 farmers) in Iguli parish were beneficiaries of the 2022 GIZ supported project that offered small scale irrigation equipment to farmers under a cofounding arrangement.
The German development cooperation agency, GIZ, is an implementing partner of the government under the Uganda intergovernmental fiscal transfer program in Dokolo under which the small-scale micro irrigation project is implemented.
Alex Omara, an extension worker attached to Amwoma Sub County in Dokolo District, said that in addition to the equipment, the farmers also received hybrid seeds which included tomatoes and onions to enhance vegetable production.
According to Omara, government officials carried out awareness creation campaigns on climate smart farming and registered 25 farmers’ groups as beneficiaries.
However only three of the registered farmers made Co-funding payment required for the installation of the irrigation equipment that is serving the entire groups.
The government embarked on a program of promoting micro-irrigation to support smallholder farmers following a realization that weather related events constituted 68% of the risks facing smallholder farmers who constitute the bulk of the farming population feeding the nation.
The other serious challenges facing smallholder farmers are pests and diseases, fluctuating market prices, high input costs, poor health, land grabbing among others.
The impact of irrigation farming on Dokolo farmers
Angelous Ochen, 70, a resident of Amwoma parish was one of the first farmers to benefit from the irrigation scheme.
Ochen planted 0.5 acres of Tomatoes from which he harvested 45 boxfuls of tomatoes, each sold at UGX.70,000, Ochen realized a gross income of UGX.3,150,000 in just three months.
The ageing Ochen used this money to rehabilitate his house which was in sorry state.
Douglas Odongo, 32, a farmer from Akaidebe cell in Central ward, Dokolo Town Council in 2023 also planted one acre of tomatoes.
Odongo used surface irrigation pump method of farming and harvested 170 boxes of tomatoes. He sold each box of tomatoes at UGX.50,000.
Odongo said the income he realized was UGX.8.5m, which he used to support his family and pay school fees for the children. He also acquired additional piece of land and a motorcycle to ease transportation of the produce to the market.
Mathew Eyilu, executive Director of Eyilu Eden Farm in Abongorwot cell, Angwenya Ward in Kangai Town Council was another beneficiary of an irrigation project.
Through the operation wealth creation, Eyilu was awarded UGX.100 million to support his model farm dealing in fruits production which includes oranges, jack fruit, mango, avocado and bananas.
He said the returns from this investment has helped him to pay tuition for his son who completed a Bachelor degree in Agriculture at Metropolitan university. It has also ensured food security for the family and enabled construction of his house which is nearing completion.
Dokolo district has continued to promote climate smart agriculture by gradually rolling out governments support services to the different sub counties.
For the 2024/2025 financial year, Amwoma Sub County has identified and seconded names of three progressive farmers.
Their names have been submitted to Dokolo District to benefit from irrigation facilities, two valley dams also identified for community water storage for irrigation.
