Ugandan CSOs Champion Solar Farming Amidst Climate Uncertainty

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Uganda are intensifying their push for the integration of solar energy into various agricultural practices as a critical strategy to combat the escalating effects of climate change. Unpredictable rainfall patterns and other climate shocks are increasingly disrupting farming, threatening food security and household incomes across the nation.

According to Anthony Mugeere, a research fellow at the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), solar power offers a versatile solution that can support the entire agricultural value chain. This includes irrigation, livestock management, food processing, and storage. “We are saying, every agriculture value chain, from planting to irrigation, to harvesting, to harvest processing, to storage, can we think of a solar solution?” Mugeere stated at a recent workshop in Kampala.

The adoption of solar-powered equipment is also seen as a way to reduce farmers’ dependence on fossil-fuel-powered machinery like generators, thereby contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions. “Solar is important because that energy is free. And it’s available, so if you leave it to just go to waste, and go on buying a generator, to putting hydro and all these things, then you are the loser,” Mugeere emphasized.

The workshop, organized by ACODE with support from Heifer International Uganda, focused on integrating the productive use of solar energy (PUSE) into national and local government plans and budgets. The initiative, part of the Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) Hub project, aims to boost farmers’ incomes and resilience while reducing emissions.

Ronald Wabwire, programme technical lead at Heifer International Uganda, highlighted the potential of solar-powered irrigation, milk cooling, and water pumping to maintain production levels and improve product quality despite climate pressures. He noted that while the initial cost of some solar technologies can be a barrier, partnerships and government subsidies are being explored to improve accessibility for farmers, especially through organized groups.

The Ugandan government, through the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC), is offering subsidies of up to 80 percent on solar equipment for eligible farmers. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture supports smallholder farmers with matching grants for individual irrigation equipment.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/csos-push-solar-powered-farming-as-climate-change-disrupts-rainfall-5585228