KAMULI, UGANDA: Leaders and agricultural experts in Kamuli have called for urgent adoption of solar-powered irrigation systems to counter declining farm productivity caused by prolonged dry spells and lack of water access.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Kamuli Municipality, bringing together officials from government ministries, development partners, and district leadership to address gaps in agricultural resilience.
Energy officials emphasized that solar power must move beyond household lighting to productive use in agriculture.
Ocenge Julius urged farmers to embrace solar irrigation technologies to sustain crop production. “Solar energy should be used productively in agriculture, not just for lighting,” he said.
Officials from the agriculture sector revealed that despite government investment in micro-scale irrigation systems, adoption among farmers remains low.
Stella Nakaziba noted that many farmers have not taken advantage of available technologies. “The government has invested in these systems, but we need farmers to embrace them,” she said.
Kamuli District authorities confirmed that funds have already been allocated to support solar irrigation, but uptake remains a challenge.
Kalamu Allan said the slow response from farmers is limiting the impact of these investments. “As a district, we’ve set aside funds for solar irrigation, but uptake has been slow,” he noted.
Local leaders pointed to financial barriers as a key obstacle preventing farmers from adopting solar irrigation technologies.
Kamuli Assistant RDC Michael Musebe urged the government to review the co-funding model, arguing that it is discouraging farmers. “Remove co-funding, it is the reason farmers are abandoning these systems,” he said.
The workshop, organized by ACODE and Heifer International, highlighted the urgent need for climate-smart agricultural solutions as erratic weather patterns continue to affect yields.
Experts say solar-powered irrigation could significantly improve productivity, ensure food security, and reduce dependence on rain-fed farming in districts like Kamuli.
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