By KT Reporter
Farmers under the Agule Irrigation Scheme in Katakwi District are decrying poor road conditions and the absence of storage facilities, saying these challenges are causing them significant financial losses despite increased productivity. Located in Agule Village, Toroma Sub County, the 12-acre irrigation scheme was established in 2024 with €124,362 funding from the United Kingdom Export Finance. The project was designed to boost household incomes and strengthen food security in the community.
However, farmers say that while the scheme has greatly improved yields, they are struggling with post-harvest losses, poor road access, and limited market opportunities across the Teso sub-region. Rose Akiding, a widow and mother of eleven from Agule Village, said joining the project last year has helped her pay school fees and meet household needs.
She earns up to three million shillings per season from tomato sales, but she loses nearly one million shillings each month due to a lack of proper storage for perishable produce. “I lose close to one million shillings every month because there are no adequate storage options for perishable goods like tomatoes while we search for buyers,” Akiding said.
She appreciated the project’s positive impact on her family’s welfare but urged the government to construct storage facilities to preserve farmers’ produce and reduce waste. Another farmer, Jane Alungat, shared a similar experience.
“I lost over 400 kilograms of tomatoes this season because there was no way for buyers to access the store to pick them up,” Alungat explained. “We appreciate this project; however, we implore our leaders to seek alternatives to mitigate our losses.”
The Chairperson of the Agule Irrigation Scheme Farmers Project, Stephen Olinga, said the group has 48 members, comprising 25 women and 23 men. He noted that the community shifted to irrigated farming following a severe drought in 2017, which had made rain-fed agriculture unreliable. “We have mastered the art of profitable farming, focusing on tomatoes, onions, and Sukuma,” Olinga said. “Businessmen from Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, and other regions come here to buy our products. But poor roads remain a major challenge. Imagine a buyer traveling a long distance only to get stuck on the road for three days — will they return?”
Olinga added that the project has enabled many farmers to purchase oxen for plowing, educate their children, and meet household needs. Still, he called for government support to open access roads and secure better markets for their produce.
The LC1 Chairperson of Agule Village, Albert Eilor, said the irrigation project has transformed the community by improving food security and reducing school dropouts. “The project has empowered every household to have access to food, transforming our community from one plagued by hunger to one that can sustain itself,” Eilor remarked. However, he said transportation remains a pressing issue.
“After harvesting, farmers are often forced to store their produce in unsuitable conditions due to lack of transport. We urge our leaders to prioritize improving road and transport facilities, as many farmers don’t even have bicycles,” he added.
Yusuf Mutebi, the project engineer, explained that the irrigation system operates using 36 solar panels, each generating 475 watts, to power pumps that supply 20 cubic meters of water per hour to the farmers.
While the Agule Irrigation Scheme has improved agricultural productivity and livelihoods, the farmers insist that addressing the challenges of road access, market linkages, and storage infrastructure is critical for sustaining the project’s long-term success.
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