Ntungamo District Leaders Urge Farmers to Adopt Irrigation

By Anthony Kushaba

Ntungamo District local government authorities have launched a campaign to mobilize farmers to embrace irrigation as a means of boosting agricultural productivity and household incomes.

The drive kicked off today with a farmers-and-suppliers engagement meeting held at the district council hall, bringing together over 300 farmers and 20 companies dealing in irrigation equipment.

Ntungamo District Senior Agriculture Engineer, Bwino Daniel, said the meeting aimed at enlightening farmers on the available irrigation options and government subsidies designed to enhance productivity. He revealed that in the past four years, 197 farmers have benefited from the micro-scale irrigation program, with government investing 3.9 billion shillings in the initiative.

Chief Administrative Officer Fidelis Kiiza encouraged farmers to embrace large-scale and improved agricultural practices, noting that irrigation, use of manure, and other modern techniques have already demonstrated the potential of farming as a profitable business. He emphasized that such practices are key to fighting poverty and malnutrition.

Resident District Commissioner Mary Kagaiga Mugisha highlighted government interventions aimed at boosting productivity nationwide, urging farmers to take advantage of these programs to increase output.

District Chairperson Samuel Muchunguzi Rwakigoba stressed that Ntungamo is naturally endowed with rivers and swamps, which provide great potential for irrigation. He noted that adopting irrigation alongside modern farming methods would help address soil fertility loss and reduce crop failure.

Rwakigoba further pointed out that Ntungamo produces high-quality coffee, but increasing production volumes is essential to meet rising demand, including supply to the Inspire Africa Coffee Park in Rwashamaire Town Council.