Amolatar: Farmers Enjoy Record Yields After Government Launches Solar-Powered Irrigation Scheme | ChimpReports
In Amolatar District, farmers are experiencing remarkable gains thanks to the Apitopat Solar Powered Irrigation Scheme, a government-funded project reshaping livelihoods in Namasale Town Council.
At the heart of this transformation is 27-year-old Daniel Opito, a farmer from Apitopat Village who also works as a scheme operator and security personnel. A father of four, Opito is part of a rising wave of young Ugandans embracing modern, climate-resilient farming.
For more than a decade, Opito relied on fishing on Lake Kyoga to make ends meet, struggling to cover essentials like medical bills, school fees, and housing. In 2020, he joined fellow residents of Kayago Ward to form the Kayago United Farmers and Fishers Association and started early, small-scale irrigation attempts using a generator pump. Those initial efforts produced limited results.
The breakthrough came when the association secured funding from the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Water for Production Regional Centre North (WfPRC-N). The Ministry contracted Nexus Green Limited to design, supply, and install solar-powered irrigation systems nationwide to promote modern irrigation and efficient water use.
The Apitopat Solar Powered Irrigation System was completed in December 2024, marking a new era for the community. Opito joined the Apitopat Farmers Group, which now comprises 40 members, and received two plots on a 12-acre demonstration farm. He also received extensive training in agro-entrepreneurship, enterprise selection, nursery bed management, transplanting, pest and disease control, post-harvest handling, and group dynamics.
In January 2025, Opito planted tomatoes on one plot. By March, he had harvested produce worth Shs 3.3 million—an amount that matched his earnings from 13 years of fishing. After expenses, he pocketed Shs 2.85 million, using part of it to buy two bulls for plowing, acquire a television set, pay school fees, and meet other household needs.
“Before MWE–WfPRC-N training, I was getting only five boxes from half an acre,” he said. “I lacked skills in pest control, selecting profitable enterprises, and post-harvest handling. With training and exposure, I can manage my crops better and market them more profitably. This has truly changed my life.”
Bumper Harvests and Better Living
The solar irrigation system enables year-round farming, especially during dry spells. Beneficiaries are showcasing thriving tomatoes, cabbages, green peppers, and other horticultural crops. Many farmers now sell produce directly at the farm gate, while others transport it to local markets, securing better prices and expanding their customer base.
“Before this project, we struggled to grow anything when the rains stopped,” said Jessica Orech, another beneficiary. “Now I harvest vegetables regularly and sell them to buyers who come straight to my farm.”
Bosco Olum shared a similar story: “Taking my produce to the local market has increased my income. I can now pay school fees and invest in better inputs for the next season.”
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the positive outcomes, farmers flagged concerns about pest infestations and rising input costs. Officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment acknowledged these issues and stressed the importance of continuing technical support to sustain gains.
Nevertheless, the irrigation scheme has substantially boosted crop yields, household incomes, and food security. Farmers expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting greater participation, ownership, and optimism for lasting agricultural transformation.
Colorful crop fields, active farm-gate commerce, and empowered farmers stand as tangible proof of Uganda’s growing success in climate-smart agriculture and rural prosperity.
