By KT Reporter
Kotido District authorities have commissioned the Kotido Technical Institute UGIFT micro-scale irrigation demonstration sites in a bid to enhance agricultural productivity.
The Micro Scale Irrigation System program supports farmers in purchasing and using individual irrigation equipment. It is being funded by the government of Uganda with support from the World Bank, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries. Through the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) program, a farmer is required to pay 25% of the cost, while the government contributes 75%.
Benard Obin, the Kotido District Agricultural Officer, said the approximately 40 million shillings irrigation project is part of the government’s efforts to provide funds for micro-scale irrigation projects, and it aims to provide hands-on experience for agricultural students and enable the school to cultivate vegetables throughout the year.
However, authorities expressed dissatisfaction with the institution’s failure to utilize the irrigation. Emmanuel Lodio, the Kotido district speaker, lamented that on several occasions when he accompanied the monitoring teams from the central government in the monitoring of the site, they found it lying idle and not put to the right use.
But in response, Patrick Odongo, the Kotido Technical Institute Deputy Principal,l explained that the activities were halted as staff and students broke off for the festive season.
Donato Oola Olam, Kotido District Chief Administrative Officer, appealed to the school authorities to take ownership of the project and engage students in demonstration farms. Oola says the project should also work closely with the neighboring communities in Napumpum and Panyagara sub-counties, educating them on growing vegetables from nursery beds.
Charles Ichogor, the Kotido Residence District Commissioner, emphasized the need for mentorship and guidance from agricultural extension workers to ensure the project’s effective utilization. Ichogor is optimistic that with proper management, the project has the potential to improve food security, increase income generation, and promote agricultural knowledge and skills among local communities-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
