Lira Farmers Find Hope in Solar Irrigation Amidst Severe Drought

Farmers in Lira District are turning to a newly established seven-acre solar-powered irrigation scheme as a vital resource against a crippling drought. The Dam Odoca scheme, located in Aromo Sub-county, has become a beacon of hope, allowing agricultural activities to continue even as traditional rain-fed crops wither.

Implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment with funding from UK Export Finance and the Government of Uganda, the scheme was constructed by Nexus Green Limited and handed over in June 2026. It has since been instrumental in supporting horticultural production, boosting both yields and incomes for the participating farmers.

Lira Resident District Commissioner, Lillian Eyal, highlighted the government’s Shs500 million investment in the micro-irrigation project. Agricultural Officer Denis Owani noted that the scheme’s managed water supply has been essential, particularly as maize and soybean crops failed due to prolonged dry spells. “Farmers made big losses,” Owani stated, emphasizing the financial risks of relying solely on rain.

Farmers involved in the scheme have shifted their focus to high-value crops like cabbages. Florence Ojok, one of the beneficiaries, shared her success: “During the first planting season, the majority of farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture watched their crops die in the sun… And in May, we planted cabbages on a half-acre garden at Dam Odoca as an experiment and we fetched Shs4 million. In the next season, we expect to get Shs50 million from our seven-acre field.”

The project, managed by a group of 30 members, is already showing tangible economic benefits, with individual farmers anticipating significant earnings. The Ministry has established a similar scheme in Wiodyek Sub-county, aiming to replicate the success seen at Dam Odoca through farmer education and engagement.