agriculture 23 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Eyes 1.5 Million Hectares Under Irrigation by 2040
The Ugandan government aims to bring 1.5 million hectares of farmland under irrigation by 2040, shifting focus from large schemes to smaller, farmer-centric systems to combat unreliable rainfall and boost agricultural output. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-targets-1-5-million-hectares-under-irrigation-by-2040-5568236
Uganda is setting an ambitious goal to irrigate 1.5 million hectares of its agricultural land by 2040. This strategic move by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is designed to mitigate the impacts of increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns and significantly enhance agricultural productivity across the nation.
During a recent Agri-connect stakeholders’ consultation in Kampala, Mr. Allan Ollando, a senior engineer at MAAIF, explained that the ministry is moving away from a primary reliance on extensive irrigation projects. The new approach emphasizes promoting smaller-scale irrigation systems that can directly benefit individual farmers, ensuring wider and more immediate impact.
Uganda possesses approximately 24.2 million hectares of arable land, with only about 8.4 million hectares currently under cultivation. While the country’s irrigation policy identifies about 3.03 million hectares as irrigable, current irrigation coverage stands at a modest 1.5 percent. Over the past five years, roughly 40,000 hectares have been brought under irrigation, a pace Mr. Ollando acknowledges needs substantial acceleration to meet the 2040 target.
Recognizing that public funds alone are insufficient, the government is actively fostering collaborations with the private sector. This partnership aims to streamline administrative processes, offer tax incentives on imported irrigation equipment, and resolve procurement delays. The private sector’s involvement is crucial for piloting cost-effective and efficient new technologies.
Furthermore, the government is employing matching grant schemes to assist smallholder farmers in acquiring micro-irrigation equipment. This model has shown considerable success in reaching farmers directly and efficiently. However, significant challenges remain, including limited access to water resources where they are most needed, insufficient financing for farmers, access to appropriate technology, and land acquisition issues, particularly concerning compensation for large projects.
Farmers’ representatives have highlighted the critical need for affordable financing and improved access to quality agricultural inputs. They advocate for a National Agriculture Financing Scheme and a national input scheme to support farmers in rural areas. The government also plans to decentralize irrigation service delivery by strengthening local government capacities and establishing regional irrigation hubs to enhance farmer training and system maintenance.