A group of international agricultural experts has launched a project to provide solar-powered irrigation to 80,000 smallholder farmers in Uganda, as shifting weather patterns continue to devastate local crop yields.
The initiative, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, follows a 60% drop in smallholder output across the country. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Ugandan economy, but erratic rainfall has left many rural communities unable to maintain consistent production.
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The project is led by a consortium including the Eastern Africa Grain Council, Germany’s Lorentz, Akvo International and Access to Innovation.
Organizers say the goal is to bridge the gap between large-scale commercial operations and the country’s small-scale farmers. While commercial farms typically have the capital to invest in high-end equipment, smallholders have often been left reliant on rain-fed agriculture.
Adrian Honey, a representative for Lorentz, said the program aims to bring smallholder yields closer to those seen in the commercial sector. He added that the rollout would focus on a package solution that includes education and long-term coaching rather than just the distribution of hardware.
The consortium has already consulted with 3,000 farmers to determine their specific technical requirements.
The strategy also involves the Eastern Africa Grain Council organizing 25,000 farmers in the eastern and northern regions into business hubs. Paul Ochuna, the council’s country manager, said the support would extend from pre-production through to market access to ensure the farmers are commercially viable.
A significant hurdle for rural families remains the cost of solar technology. To address this, a World Bank grant is providing a 60% subsidy on the equipment. The remaining costs can be financed through Post Bank with a 15% discount and a three-year repayment window.
According to Daniel Eberu of Akvo International, these financial measures are intended to remove cost as a deterrent for participants.
The first phase of the project concluded this week with the training of 10 sales agents who will provide hands-on demonstrations to farmers in their own fields.
