agriculture 7 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's 1.5 Million Hectare Irrigation Goal Hindered by Funding and Coordination Issues
Experts are raising concerns about Uganda's ambitious plan to irrigate 1.5 million hectares of farmland by 2040, citing significant hurdles in funding, coordination, and support for smallholder farmers. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-s-1-5m-hectare-irrigation-target-faces-funding-coordination-hurdles-5623324
Uganda’s government has set a bold target to bring 1.5 million hectares of agricultural land under irrigation by 2040. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of unreliable rainfall and boost food production across the nation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is reportedly shifting focus towards smaller, farmer-centric irrigation systems rather than solely relying on large-scale projects.
However, this ambitious goal faces considerable obstacles. Experts highlight weak coordination among government agencies, poor tracking of public funds allocated to irrigation and related programs, and potential corruption as major impediments. The effectiveness of solar-powered irrigation, seen as a key driver for agricultural transformation, is also under scrutiny.
Advocates are calling for more precise financial management, suggesting specific budget codes for solar energy initiatives to ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries, particularly smallholder farmers. Currently, environmental and climate-financing is often treated as a cross-cutting issue, making it difficult to ascertain the exact allocation and impact of resources on specific agricultural interventions.
Furthermore, there are concerns that current government programs may inadvertently benefit already established farmers, leaving smallholders behind. A lack of operationalized policy frameworks and fragmented efforts across different ministries are cited as significant coordination gaps. Experts suggest forming inter-ministerial committees to streamline efforts. For the plan to succeed, addressing issues like poor-quality equipment, high costs, and inadequate technical support for farmers is crucial. Affordable financing schemes and improved access to quality agricultural inputs are also essential for farmers to invest in irrigation and boost productivity.