The project is powered by 59 solar panels, 57 of which produce 18,810 watts of power. The power then helps to pump 14,000 litres of water upstream into an 87,000 litre capacity tank. The water is then released at intervals to irrigate up to 20 acres of farmland. The other two panels produce 660 watts that power lighting and alarm systems at the facility.

Nexus Green is expected to implement the project within three years at a cost of Euros 101 million with more than 687 solar irrigation sites expected to be spread across the country, the largest such project in Uganda. The project will target small holder farmers in a bid to push the national drive of deepening commercial agriculture, the ministry says.

While addressing a team of stake holders at the commissioning of the project, Anywar called the project a perfect counter measure for the sudden changes in weather that were starting to affect agricultural patterns and farmers’ yields.

“This partnership is a game changer because as a ministry we have also put in our effort to ensure that we promote irrigation using solar, which is a clean technology. This will benefit us and this project comes in handy to ensure that we assure farmers of water supply and add value to their crops.”

“We [want them to] become more productive and earn more. We further intend to shorten the burden of looking for water for use at the household levels,” Anywar said.

Gladys Ndagire, a local farmer in Mpumu parish, where the project is located, says the improvement in her yields as a result of the project has been life-changing as the constant water supply means they can farm during both the wet and dry season.

“This project is good for locals because we can plant our crops from 1st January to December 31, which minimizes the risk of making losses due to weather,” Ndagire said.

Janet Rogan, the United Nations Climate Change Conference Ambassador for Africa, advised Ugandans to immediately adapt measures to avert climate change before it’s too late. 

“I am very pleased that a project like this one is able to show transfer of technology from a technical aspect through a partnership between the UK and Uganda to install some panels with a pumping system to bring the water up to a very high level and then provide irrigation,” she said.

“…the farmer is no longer only relying on the seasons to determine the size of their yields,” Rogan added.

Alfred Okot Okidi, the permanent secretary at the ministry of Water and Environment, says the scheme is majorly to fight climate change that had destabilized agriculture as sudden changes in seasons were confusing farmers and affecting their yield.

Okidi added that under the partnership, the UK would contribute Euros 95 million to the project, while the Uganda government will top it up with the remaining Euros 15 million. Government intends to shore up its contributions by charging farmers some money.

“The project sustainability has been designed in such a way that part of the proceeds of the produce that the farmer gets – about 20 to 30 per cent – will be ring-fenced and used for the maintenance of this system. So, the farmers will contribute, but in terms of what they have produced; they are not paying upfront.”

Kate Airey, the British High Commissioner, applauded the partnership between Uganda and the UK, calling it “broad and deep.” She also emphasized the commitment of the UK government, along with its partners, in funding initiatives that offer practical solutions that are going to help individuals that are already dealing and hurting from the impact of climate change.

Rikki Verma, the CEO of Nexus Green, expressed satisfaction at delivering a project that would transform agricultural practices in Uganda and targeting the poor and unemployed in providing solutions through clean energy.

“We are taking small schemes between 5-10 maybe 20 acres of land and doing complete irrigation and water for production, so these are going to benefit the communities and the farmers. There’s going to be so many advantages in terms of value addition as well as the yields.” 

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