By James Alomu
Farmers in Gweri County, Soroti District, are set to benefit from a Shs419 million irrigation project aimed at improving agricultural production and helping communities cope with unreliable rainfall.
The initiative, being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment, will provide a reliable source of water for irrigation, benefiting selected farmers, model farmers and other agricultural beneficiaries in the area.
Francis Orisa, the Minister of Works, Production and Minerals at Soroti District Local Government, said the district has signed a four-month contract for the implementation of the project.
According to Orisa, work at the project site is expected to begin soon, with the scheme initially targeting 11 farmers.
He explained that water will be drilled and pumped into a storage tank, from where the beneficiaries will distribute it to their gardens for irrigation.
The project is expected to enable farmers to produce crops beyond the traditional rainy seasons, increasing food production and improving household incomes.
The irrigation scheme is also expected to support farmers in adopting more sustainable agricultural practices and reducing the impact of prolonged dry spells on crop yields.
District authorities say the project will contribute to strengthening agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of farming communities across Gweri County.
