The Uganda Rural Development and Training Programme (URDT), under the Right to Access Affordable Water Harvesting for Smallholder Farmers in Uganda and Tanzania (RIWA) project, has distributed seven Money Maker Max irrigation pumps to members of Farmer Family Learning Groups (FFLGs) from the sub-counties of Kyenzige, Kyanaisoke, Burora, Ruteete, Mpeefu, Kabamba, and Kagadi in Kagadi District.
The distribution followed a one-day practical workshop that brought together 40 farmers to enhance their understanding of rainwater harvesting technologies implemented in various sub-counties. Through peer-to-peer learning and experience sharing, participants acquired hands-on skills in adopting, managing, and replicating different water harvesting innovations within their farming communities.
According to Margret Kembabazi, the project coordinator emphasized that the initiative is part of the organization’s broader mission to empower smallholder farmers with climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. These efforts aim to improve access to water, increase productivity, and strengthen household livelihoods in the face of climate change.
The RIWA project is a three-year collaborative initiative running from August 1st, 2024, to August 1st, 2027, jointly implemented by URDT, Kilimo Organic Farmer Learning Centre (KOFLEC), Organic Denmark (OD), Caritas Kampala, Great Lakes Organic Farmers Association (GLOFA), Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), and the Association of Vegetable and Fruit Growers of Zanzibar (UWAMWIMA).
According to project officials, RIWA seeks to address the challenges of climate change-related water shortages in smallholder farming communities across Uganda and Tanzania particularly in climate-vulnerable areas like Kagadi District. The project focuses on developing, innovating, and promoting low-cost, context-specific water harvesting technologies such as the use of Hand pumps, Water reservoirs/tanks, Underground tanks for hybrid and drip irrigation Permanent pits.
By 2027, the project targets to have 400 households in Kagadi District testing and installing different rainwater harvesting technologies to build resilience to climate change.
According to the farmers, the changing climate has greatly affected their agricultural production, leading to prolonged dry spells and reduced yields. However, with the introduction of the Money Maker Max irrigation pumps, and other technologies, they expressed optimism that their productivity will significantly improve.
“The pumps will enable us to irrigate our gardens during dry seasons, ensure continuous crop growth, and ultimately enhance food security and household income.”
The farmers noted that this intervention has given them renewed hope to overcome the challenges posed by climate change and sustain their farming activities throughout the
This initiative marks another step forward in URDT’s commitment to creating climate-smart, self-reliant rural communities capable of sustaining agricultural productivity despite changing weather patterns.
