MINISTRY OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENT FARM INCOME ENHANCEMENT AND FORESTRY THE REPUBLIC OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Oct – Dec 2019 Issue 4, Volume 3 Promoting Irrigation for Enhanced Income & Agricultural Productivity

LET US WORK TOGETHER - PS MWE

he Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Water and TEnvironment, Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi has called upon project teams to work together and provide solutions to challenges facing implementation of irrigation schemes.

“We are working for one government,” he said. “Where there is a challenge, let us put our heads together and provide solution.”

Mr. Okidi made the remarks during the 10th Project Steering The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr. Alfred Committee meeting for the Farm Okot Okidi (l) jointly addressing the 10th Project Steering Committee Income Enhancement and Forest meeting at Chobe Safari Lodge with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Conservation Programme– Project Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries , Mr. Pius Wakabi■■ 2 (FIEFOC 2) held on November 1 at Chobe Safari Lodge in Nwoya “Personally, I’ m happy with the and climate resilience through district. leadership of Pakwach,” he said. sustainable natural resources “Although you started late, you management and agricultural The Project Steering Committee have almost caught up with other enterprise development. is responsible for providing an irrigation schemes.” oversight and guidance to the He therefore called upon project implementation of FIEFOC 2. Mr. Okidi added: “FIEFOC 2 is teams to ensure that project one of the key government outputs are realized within The Permanent Secretary interventions that contribute planned timeframe. expressed happiness with the to agricultural production and district leadership of Pakwach productivity, increased provision PS-MAAIF that comprises the Chief of water for production facilities Administrative Officer, Resident and increased sustainable use Meanwhile, the Permanent District Commissioner, Local of environment and natural Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Council 5 Chairman and District resources.” Animal Industry and Fisheries, Technical Support Team for their Mr. Pius Wakabi, who co-chaired effort toward implementation of The project seeks to improve the meeting with the Parmanent household incomes, food security Secretary, Ministry of Water and FARM INCOME NEWSLETTER INCOME FARM Wadelai irrigation scheme. FIEFOC-2 Turn to page 2

Inside

02 PSC Approves FIEFOC 2 03 Consultants to harmonise 04 Resolve issues on Budget activities irrigation schemes

05 Doho`s institutional 06 Response to impact of 07 Enable Youth Program memory climate change on track PROMOTING IRRIGATION FOR ENHANCED INCOME & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 Page 2

SECRETARIAT PSC approves FIEFOC 2 workplan & budget 2020/2021

he Project Steering Committee has approved a total budget Tof Ushs 119.3 billion for the implementation of Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Programme – Project 2 activities for the fiscal year 2020/2021.

The workplan and budget was approved during the 10th meeting of the Project Steering Committee , which took place on November 1 at Chobe Safari Lodge in .

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Project Coordinator, FIEFOC 2, Mr. John Magezi, making a presentation on Water and Environment, Mr. Alfred Okot the status of project implementation to the project steering committee members at Okidi and the Permanent Secretary, Chobe Safari Lodge, Nwoya district■ Ministry of Agriculture , Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr. Pius Wakabi jointly Eighty-one percent (Ushs 96.6 billion) management of irrigation schemes, chaired the meeting. of the budget was allocated for and capacity building of farmers agricultural infrastructure development in good agronomic practices, such “There is need for tangible results in the component, 12 percent ( Ushs 14.3 as climate smart agriculture, value remaining period because the project billion)for integrated national resources addition and post-harvest handling to will not be extended, “ said Mr. Okidi. management, four percent (Ushs 4.8 ensure improved household incomes. billion) for agribusiness development A total budget of Ushs 119.3 billion was component and three percent (Ushs He further explained that the work plan approved to cover four major project 3.6 billion) for project management and budget is aligned to Sustainable components, including agricultural component. Development Goals and National infrastructure development, Development Plan III, and lessons agribusiness development, integrated The major financiers of the budget are learnt from the implementation of NDP natural resources management and the African Development Bank and II, especially on activities that could not project coordination. Nordic Development Fund with a total be implemented. of Ushs 92.1 billion and the Government of Uganda with Ushs 27.2 billion. “Some of the activities were dropped “There is need for tangible during the mid-term review mission by According to the National Project the African Development Bank, while results in the remaining Coordinator, Mr. John Magezi others were merged.” he said. period because the project Ndamira, the work plan will focus on will not be extended.” activities that yield tangible results, The workplan and budget has been developed through a consultative Mr.Okidi including completion of five irrigation schemes, establishment of farmer process, involving project components, – based institutions for sustainable district technical support teams and other key stakeholders■■

FROM PAGE 1: LET US WORK TOGETHER

Environment, thanked the organizers of scheme to improve their livelihoods. development.” the meeting, saying they should work as a team. With the irrigation scheme, production The meeting comprised will be throughout the year and farmers representatives from the Ministry “I appeal to members to work as will be able to produce at least twice a of Water and Environment, Ministry a team,” he said. “As a Ministry of year. of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Agriculture, we are committed to Fisheries, Chief Administrative Officers transform the livelihoods of farmers Mr. Wakabi cited an example of from six project implementing districts, from subsistence farming to modern , which has has been including Pakwach, Kasese, , commercial farming.” transformed because of Government’s Oyam, Kween and Nebbi districts, intervention in Palm Oil production. commissioners, project component He called upon the leadership of coordinators, designated project staff Pakwach and the communities to “I’m happy to note that and National Project Coordination take advantage of Wadelai irrigation leadership is open-minded,” he said. Unit■■■ “This is a good indicator for growth and Page 3 Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 FARM INCOME NEWSLETTER

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Consultants urged to harmonise activities

Project consultants in a meeting to brief their client—ministry of water and environment on the status of key deliverables at FIEFOC 2 secretariat, Bugolobi in ■■

consultative meeting between harvest handling, financial accessibility in reducing time lag.” Farm Income Enhancement and management, climate smart Aand Forestry Conservation agriculture, agronomy, institutional They were also advised to share some Programme and project consultants support, agroforestry conservation and of the challenges they were facing in held on October 8 at FIEFOC 2 income generating activities. the delivery of their outputs, and work secretariat, Bugolobi in Kampala closely with district subject specialists ended with a call to jointly plan, work Some of the consultants that – so as to build their capacities where together and innovate ways to deliver participated in the meeting included possible. outputs within agreed timeframe. Klimo Trust, Finnoc Consortium, Chrisbert, AESA and Patricos. Ms. Imelda Kanzomba, the sub According to Mr. Emmanuel Muhoozi, coordinator for agronomy also the coordinator of agribusiness The meeting noted that as much encouraged the consultants to use development component, who chaired as the consultants target the same available structures such as the Farmer the consultative meeting, the purpose project beneficiaries, they did not know Field Schools (FFS) and Farmer Based of the meeting was to harmonize each other, and they were working Management Organization (FBMO) different assignments undertaken by independent of each other. to mobilize farmers and build their the consultants on the project. capacities. The consultants were therefore “This meeting is important for the advised to work together – so as to She said the ministry of Agriculture, consultants to interface, know each leverage on each other’s strength and Animal Industry and Fisheries was other and build synergies,” Mr. Muhoozi reduce on duplication of work, as well handling issues at Mubuku II irrigation said in his opening remarks. as community fatigue. scheme internally such as mapping of plots, identification and selection of There are ten consultants offering “Don’t work alone,” Mr. Muhoozi said. farmers as well as surveying of land. different services to the project. “You are all change agents for the These include consultancies on post- community beneficiaries. You can The meeting finally agreed share your terms of reference with that harmonization meeting for each other.” consultancies he held on quarterly “Don’t work alone. You are basis, a joint team be established for The implementation of FIEFOC 2 developing workplans, and documents all change agents for the started in July 2016 and is expected to be shared among consultants. community beneficiaries” end in June 2021. Mr. Muhoozi Dr. Cassius Aruho, a fisheries “Let us work together and deliver specialist on the project under outputs as a team,” Mr. Muhoozi agribusiness development component emphasised. “Find innovate ways of was nominated to coordinate delivering your assignment in time. the consultative meeting of the This means joint planning is important consultants■■ PROMOTING IRRIGATION FOR ENHANCED INCOME & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 Page 4

AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE Resolve outstanding issues on irrigation schemes – Eng. Kasozi

he coordinator of agricultural Physical progress of developing irrigation schemes as of September 2019 infrastructure development Tcomponent under Farm Cumulative Physical Progress Income Enhancement and Forestry Name of Scheme District Size of QTR 1: QTR 2: QTR 3: QTR 4: QTR 1: Conservation Programme, Eng. Scheme Jul-Sep Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Ronald Kasozi has urged team (ha) 2018 2018 2019 2019 2019 members to resolve any outstanding (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) issue on the construction of irrigation Mobuku II Kasese 480 13% 21 % 22.5 36.5 52.0 schemes as it nears completion. Doho II Butaleja 1,226 9 % 27% 48.6 58.9 72.5 “Four of the irrigation schemes should by now reached completion stages,” he said, while chairing a quarterly Tochi Oyam 500 20% 34% 57 72.3 85.2 review and planning meeting for the agricultural infrastructure development Ngenge Kween 880 24% 33% 54.1 64.8 73.1 component on October 7 at FIEFOC 2 secretariat at Bugolobi in Kampala Wadelai Pakwach 1,000 0 0 18.2 29.3 37.0

The five gravity feed irrigation schemes are at various level of completion. scheme in , Doho II through an effective management These include Tochi irrigation scheme irrigation scheme in model for the schemes. in , Ngenge irrigation and Mubuku II irrigations scheme in . “We need to quickly sort out the management model of the schemes,” “It is incumbent upon us to “It is incumbent upon us to resolve any he said. “The agronomy sub group outstanding issue with the beneficiary should step up its activities.” He resolve any outstanding communities,” Eng. Kasozi said. Once reiterated that in the next four months issue with the beneficiary completed, the irrigation schemes farmers should be ready to take up communities” will contribute to household incomes, the irrigation schemes, and also be Eng. Kasozi food security and climate resilience prepared to go through practical through sustainable natural resources agronomic training to start farming in management and agricultural the schemes■■■■ enterprise development, as well as

One of the secondary canals completed at Wadelai irrigation scheme, Pakwach district ■■ Page 5 Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 FARM INCOME NEWSLETTER

AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Mr. Sagula: doho’s institutional memory

f you have not met Mr. Sagula Wilberforce, the Assistant IAgricultural Officer and in charge of Doho irrigation scheme making a presentation, then you are yet to learn about the history of Doho irrigation scheme and the farmers’ cooperative movement.

At six feet tall and now with sprinkle of grey hair covering his head, Mr. Sagula exudes confidence of a leader, who has seen it all through the years of long service to the country.

He comes across as a defacto institutional memory of Doho irrigation scheme and farmers’ cooperative society.

He has worked at the scheme for the last thirty-one years. Of the six people, who were recruited and posted to the scheme as agricultural extension workers by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in the mid-1980’s, he is the only remaining officer today.

He looks back with nostalgic memory and narrates the story of the irrigation scheme and farmers’ cooperative Mr. Sagula Wilberforce (2nd right) pointing at the expanse of Doho irrigation scheme movement like it was yesterday. (Insert ) during exposure visit of Oyam district leadership■ ■

“By the time I joined, people had not known about the irrigation,” he told a According to Mr. Sagula, Doho irrigation visiting delegation from Oyam district, scheme started in 1976 and farmers who had come to learn about produce rice under two seasons growing under irrigation scheme. “But with water from River Manafwa, now farmers are knowledgeable about which is being managed by farmers’ the operations and management of “To ensure a cooperative. irrigation schemes.“ He said the target of the scheme is to promote water for successful “To ensure a successful irrigation production and improve household management, there is need for a incomes. irrigation stringent bylaws,” he advised Oyam district leaders. “Farmers are very The vision of Doho Irrigation and management, difficult people to deal with.” Farmers Cooperative Society, which is visibly inscribed inside the meeting there is need He explained that it is not sometimes hall, is to be “A strong and sustainable for a stringent easy to obtain contribution from farmers cooperative with united, socially and towards operation and maintenance of economically empowered farmers.” bylaws” the irrigation scheme. and the mission is to “Foster modern rice farming practices and sustainable Mr. Sagula “Ever since the farmers’ cooperative natural resources management to started, we have not achieved 100 per increase members productivity and cent of farmers’ contribution towards income through agro-input access, management fee,” he said■■ produce bulking, processing, collective marketing and access to agricultural finance.” PROMOTING IRRIGATION FOR ENHANCED INCOME & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 Page 6

CLIMATE CHANGE FIEFOC’s strategic response to impact of climate change

arm Income Enhancement and Forest Conservation Programme F– Project 2 is by design part of a strategic response of the Ministry of Water and Environment to the impact of climate change as evidenced by environmental degradation, dry spells and floods in the vulnerable .

This response is guided by the project’s objective to improve farm incomes, rural livelihoods, food security and climate resilience through sustainable natural resources management and agricultural enterprise development.

In doing so, the project is jointly A woodlot of teak trees planted during FIEFOC 1 in Pakwach district■ ■ implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Five gravity fed irrigation schemes are According to Mr. Emmanuel Industry and Fisheries through four currently being developed at Mubuku Muhoozi, coordinator of agribusiness major components: agricultural II in Kasese district, Doho II in Butaleja development component, a total infrastructure development, district, Tochi in Oyam district, Ngenge of 100 potential youth agripreneurs, agribusiness development, integrated in Kween district and Wadelai in comprising both male and female have natural resources management and Pakwach district. been selected for financial support— project coordination, which have based on their innovate agribusiness great bearings on climate change and According to Eng. Ronald Kasozi, cases. Activities under integrated mitigation measures. coordinator infrastructure development natural resources management component, the physical progress of component are equally designed to Under the agriculture infrastructure the schemes are at 80 per cent, which facilitate reduction of land degradation development component, planned means they are near completion. and related flood impacts, and interventions are designed to reduce thus increasing the resilience of the impacts of extreme weather events “The schemes are designed to be communities around the schemes. through the development of irrigation climate resilient in order to prolong the schemes. life span of the infrastructures,” he said. A catchment management plan has been developed to guide investment The project’s environmental social options in the catchment areas of management plan further focuses on five irrigation schemes to reduce the challenges posed by the climate sediments entering the irrigation risks on the project outcomes as well schemes and improve farming in the The schemes as proposed adaptation and mitigation watershed areas. measures. are designed According to Ms. Margaret Adata, Under the agribusiness development commissioner of forest sector component, FIEFOC-2 promotes support department and coordinator to be climate alternative livelihoods that help to of integrated national resources smoothen cyclical impacts of droughts management component under resilient in and ensure all year income generating FIEFOC 2 to mitigate the impact of activities for the communities living climate change, a total of 4.3 million order to around the schemes. Farmers are assorted tree seedlings have been encouraged to engage in climate smart distributed to farmers and 120 prolong livelihoods aquaculture (fisheries), kilometres of river banks have been apiculture (honey production), seedling restored in the watershed areas of the life production and rice production. The Ngenge, Manafwa, Tochi and Mubuku youth are also supported through II. “Because of these interventions, a span of the a special program known as the total of 7,000 hectares of forest cover ENABLE Youth, which allows them to have been restored on private and infrastructure. contribute to adverse effects of climate degraded lands through tree planting,” change through innovative agricultural she said■■■■■ enterprises. Page 7 Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 FARM INCOME NEWSLETTER

ENABLE YOUTH Implementation Of Enable Youth Program On Track

Youth agripreneurs from Butaleja and Kween districts in a photo session displaying their certificates after presenting business cases for funding■■

total of 158 young people, According to the report over 4,000 comprising male and female applications were received from the A have gained skills and technical youths in the five catchment areas of training in enterprise development Tochi, Wadelai, Ngenge, Mubuku and under ENABLE Youth Program Uganda, Manafwa, but only 100 youths were a status report for 2019 submitted by considered for financial support. Impact Booster Consortium to Farm “This means Income Enhancement and Forest The report further indicates that 107 Conservation Programme—Project 2 businesses were created under the reveals. 158 percent program and are operational.

The training was undertaken against a success The major spectrum of the business set target of 100 youths trained by the enterprises include: ICT in agriculture, consultant. This means 158 per cent rate has poultry , tuberous roots, oil seed, success rate has been registered in the livestock, horticulture, grains and training of the youths in agribusiness pulses, coffee, clean eneragy , enterprise development. been apiculture and agroforestry.

ENABLE Youth is a pilot project that registered in However, the report was cautious aims at creating opportunities for young about the sustainability of the program, entrepreneurs in agricultural sector saying that the impact of the program in order to upgrade their technical the training will be measured after five years. It skills, adopt innovative agricultural also identified language barrier as management practices and access of the one of the challenges that faced the capital for agribusiness expansion. applicants. Although some youths had good business ideas, they could Meanwhile Impact Booster Consortium youths.” not express themselves properly. As a is a consultant that implements result, it cost them dearly. It was also a ENABLE Youth Program on behalf of challenge dealing with large number of the Ministry of Water and Environment submissions for consideration■ under FIEFOC 2. PROMOTING IRRIGATION FOR ENHANCED INCOME & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 Page 8

MWE-FIEFOC PICTORIAL

Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi, PS—MWE (c ) and his counter part, Mr. Pius Wakabi, PS –MAAIF and Mr. Alfred Okidi, PS – Mr. Pius Wakabi, PS– MAAIF (r ) listening to Pakwach district MWE preparing for field inspection at Wadelai irrigation scheme, presentation on the implementation of Wadelai irrigation scheme at the Pakwach district ■ district headquarters late October 2019■

Project Steering Committee members led by Mr. Alfred Okot Project Steering Committee members inspecting scheme facilities, Okidi, PS—MWE (l) listening to a presentation by a contractor on including storage facilities and offices at Wadelai irrigation scheme , implementation of Wadelai irrigation scheme■ Pakwach district■

L-R: Mr. Emmanuel Muhoozi, Coordinator Agribusiness A cross-section of FIEFOC 2 Project Steering Committee members Development Component, Eng. Gilbert Kimanzi, Commissioner, listening to various presentations at Chohe Safari Lodge late October Water for Production and Mr. John Magezi, National Project 2019■ Coordinator FIEFOC 2 listening to presentations during the 1oth Project Steering Committee meeting at Chobe Safari Lodge■ Page 9 Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 FARM INCOME NEWSLETTER

MWE-FIEFOC PICTORIAL

One of five secondary canals under construction at Wadelai Members of FIEFOC 2 Project Steering Committee inspecting irrigation scheme in Pakwach district■ ongoing construction work of canals using advance machines at Wadelai irrigation scheme, Pakwach district■

Distribution of bamboo under integrated natural resources management to Young farmers display onions harvested under irrigated fields under farmers for restoration of river banks in Eastern Uganda ■ water for production department in Eastern Uganda ■

River bank stabilization using bamboo along river Manafwa in Tree seedling distribution in for Manafwa Butaleja district■ catchment restoration■ PROMOTING IRRIGATION FOR ENHANCED INCOME & AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY Oct - Dec 2019, Issue 4, Volume 3 Page 10 Ministry of Water and Environment ABOUT FIEFOC 2 Farm Income Enhancement and Forest Conservation Project Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Programme– Phone: +256 -414 505 942 Project 2 (FIEFOC 2) is a five year project (2016-2021), designed within Fax: +256 -414 505 941 the context of the Government of Uganda’s National Development Website: www.mwe.go.ug Plan (NDP) and the long term development strategy, the Vision 2040 both of which promote agricultural infrastructure and income enhancement. The project is further designed to assist the Government Editorial Team increase land area under irrigated agriculture from the current 14,418 Mr. John Magezi, Editor in Chief hectares to about 420,000 hectares by 2035. And it further seeks Mr. Robert Anguzu, Managing Editor to consolidate and expand notable achievements registered under FIEFOC 1, which ended in December 2012. Eng. Ronald Kasozi, Member Mr. Muhoozi Emmanuel, Member The overall objective of the project is to contribute to poverty reduction Ms. Margrate Adata, Member and economic growth in Uganda through enhanced productivity and Mr. Dan Kitone, Member commercialization of agriculture. Specifically, the project aims at Ms. Mariam Magezi, Member improving household incomes, food security and climate resilience Mr. Enock Tumwine, Member through sustainable natural resources management and agricultural Ms. Scovia Nakawuma, Member enterprise development.

The project has four components, including Agricultural Infrastructure Development, Agribusiness Development, Integrated Natural Implementing partners Resources Management and Project Coordination. The primary • Ministry of Water and Environment. project beneficiaries, estimated at 1,816,756 are found in the districts • Ministry of Agriculture, Animal of Pakwach, Oyam, Butaleja, Kween, and Kasese, where five irrigation Industry and Fisheries. schemes are being constructed. These include Mubuku II irrigation scheme in Kasese district, Doho II irrigation scheme in Butaleja district, • 40 District Local Governments that Tochi irrigation scheme in Oyam district, Ngenge irigation scheme in manage integrated natural resources Kween district and Wadelai irrigation scheme in Pakwach district. in catchment areas of five irrigation schemes. The Ministry of Water and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, • 5 District Local Governments that Animal Industry and Fisheries jointly implement the project. Water implement irrigation schemes ministry is the executing agency, responsible for implementation of irrigation infrastructure and related activities under project component one and the natural resources management activities evelopment partners D under component three. While the agriculture ministry is a key implementing partner, responsible for implementation of agronomy and extension related activities and the agri-business development■■

Number of Project Locations Number of Farmers FACTS & FIGURES 40 (districts). Targeted for Capacity 15,000 Building under Climate Smart Agriculture. roject Objective: To improve Number of Catchments. Phousehold incomes, rural livelihoods, Number of Irrigation Schemes. food security and climate resilience Number of Districts Imple- 5 menting Irrigation Schemes. Number of through sustainable natural resources Assorted Tree management and agricultural enterprise 4,300,000 Seedlings development. Total Popula- distributed to tion of Districts farmers. Key Financiers: African Development 1,816,756 Implementing Bank (AfDB), Nordic Developmnet Fund Schemes. (NDF) and Government of Uganda. Length of River 120 Banks Restored in Number of Youths Target- kilometers. ed under ENABLE Youth 100 Program for financial sup- port Acreage of forest Total Project Cost in cover restored■ in 91.43 millions of dollars. 7,000 Number of Youths so far hectares■ million trained under ENABLE 158 Youth Program.