Moroto, Uganda: Farmers in Lokitumo Village, Lotisan Sub-county, Moroto District, are harvesting vegetables heavily throughout the year after benefiting from a solar-powered irrigation system established by the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The project has enabled farmers to grow crops including sukuma wiki, onions and tomatoes, despite prolonged dry spells that continue to affect much of the Karamoja Sub-region.
Implemented to promote irrigated agriculture, the initiative demonstrates how reliable water access can improve food production and strengthen resilience in drought-prone communities.
During a farmer field day held at the irrigation site, beneficiaries showcased their produce and shared how the project has transformed their households.
Josephine Tengori, one of the beneficiaries, said access to fresh vegetables has improved nutrition for her family. “Our children are now healthy because they eat fresh vegetables, and this is helping us reduce malnutrition from our home,” Tengori said.
Ronald Kato Kayizzi, the Assistant Commissioner for Multipurpose and Bulk Water Development at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the irrigation site was established as a demonstration centre where farmers acquire modern irrigated farming skills.
“The solar-powered water supply system focuses on establishing a minimum of two and a maximum of five acres of land per site as a centre of excellence where people are trained in irrigated agronomy,” Kayizzi said.
He noted that the Moroto project has performed well and could be considered for expansion to reach more farming communities.
Moroto District Senior Agricultural Engineer Geoffrey Wanamama said the project has demonstrated that agriculture can thrive in Karamoja when farmers have dependable water sources.
“This project proves that agriculture is possible in Karamoja as long as there is sustainable water. As a district, our role has been training the farmers and carrying out routine monitoring of the project,” Wanamama said.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Aol Mark Musoke urged the government to replicate the project across other drought-prone areas of Karamoja.
“This project is successful and should be scaled up. In times of hunger like this, such a project becomes a lifeline to the region,” Musoke said.
In addition to supporting vegetable farming, the solar-powered water system also provides water for livestock and domestic use by surrounding communities.
Beneficiary Alice Okwakol said the project has also strengthened women’s economic empowerment through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). “Our group members are able to save money into the VSLA after selling the vegetables,” Okwakol said.
Despite the progress, farmers appealed for continued government and development partner support to improve access to quality seeds, agricultural inputs and reliable markets.
They also called for the expansion of similar irrigation schemes across Karamoja, where prolonged drought and reliance on rain-fed agriculture continue to threaten food security.
The Lokitumo irrigation project comes as the Karamoja Sub-region continues to grapple with recurring food insecurity driven by climate change and erratic rainfall patterns.
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