By Godfrey Ojore
Jane Achan, a single mother in Kamenu parish, Magoro sub-county in Katakwi district, had long dreamt of an irrigation system to enable her venture into vegetable farming.
Her dream became a reality when the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), with funding from the Embassy of Norway, established a 30- acre irrigation facility in her parish.
“I am ready to start cultivating tomatoes, onions and cabbages because these are the vegetables people buy daily,” Achan said.
Christopher Ariko shared similar sentiments, noting that the new facility will enable him to farm year round.
“For years, drought has devastated our crops due to a lack of irrigation. This facility is a huge relief for us,” he said.
FAO has been implementing projects to build climate resilience and enhance food and nutrition security among smallholder farmers in Uganda’s cattle corridor and Teso.
Solomon Okwalinga, a resident, said:”This support is something we have lacked as a community, but we are hardworking and I want to assure the President that we will not be beggaers, but wealth creators.”
Our only prayer now is for good heallth because the Government has provided us with a tool that can help us eliminate poverty from our families.” he added.
These comments were made on Wednesday during the commissioning of the 30-acre irrigation facility in Magoro sub-county by Vice-President Jessica Alupo.
In addition, Alupo commissioned a hatchery in Katakwi town council with the capacity to hatch 1,000 chicks per month.
She also launched a revamped valley tank in Toroma county, designed to support about 1,500 cattle and 1,000 small ruminants during droughts.
According to FAO country representative Antonio Querido, these initiatives aim to enhance agricultural productivity, improve food security and build resilience in the region.
“We support the Government’s efforts in promoting sustainable development and pledge continued interventions to support the people of Uganda,” Querido said.
Alupo, who is also the Katakwi District Woman MP, praised FAO’s support, saying it will significantly uplift the economic status of her constituents.
She encouraged the community to make full use of the hatchery, noting that “chicken farming in Teso is a pathway to wealth”.
The hatchery is intended to improve the genetics and production of local chickens, which are commonly reared by the Iteso.
Alupo urged the youth to engage in vegetable farming, saying there is potential for all year round cultivation and income with the irrigation system.
“With this irrigation, you can now farm all year round, ensuring a steady income,” she said, encouraging the cultivation of onions, carrots, tomatoes, cabbages, eboo and sukuma wiki.
FAO’s irrigation hydrant systems are expected to enhance the production of high-value crops for 480 farmers in Katakwi during the dry season.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Alupo (second-left) speaking as Querido (left) together with other district offi cials listen during the
launch of an irrigation system project in Magoro sub-county, Katakwi district on Wednesday last week. Photo by Godfrey Ojore
