Uganda's irrigation investments face crucial test: Beyond infrastructure to farmer productivity

Uganda’s agricultural sector is grappling with the effectiveness of its substantial investments in irrigation. While billions of shillings have been channeled into water infrastructure, the core challenge has evolved from merely building systems to ensuring farmers can benefit from them, particularly beyond the unreliable rainy seasons.

Experts at the 14th National Forum on Agriculture and Food Security highlighted that irrigation should be viewed as a long-term economic investment. With rainfall patterns becoming increasingly erratic, the true measure of success lies not just in the number of reservoirs or schemes built, but in tangible improvements to farmer resilience, productivity, and overall household welfare. Currently, less than 2% of Uganda’s vast irrigation potential is under development, indicating a significant gap between national goals and on-the-ground reality.

While some projects, like the Olweny Irrigation Scheme, have shown promise by enabling year-round production for over 600 hectares, concerns persist about the value for money in other publicly funded schemes. Financing remains a constraint, but the conversation is increasingly turning towards implementation issues. Reports indicate that some irrigation projects struggle with low completion rates, unused funds, vandalism, and non-functional facilities, suggesting that simply allocating resources is not enough.

Crucially, the adoption of irrigation technologies requires more than just distribution. Farmers need continuous training, practical skills development, and ongoing extension support to ensure sustained use. Furthermore, research and targeted interventions are needed to identify which farmers and crops are most vulnerable and require specific solutions. The true success of Uganda’s irrigation efforts will be evident when the arrival of a dry season no longer spells crisis for farmers.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)