Promoting Rural Development in Northern Uganda (PRUDEV) – Field of Action 5: Water for agricultural production

PRUDEV promotes the agricultural-based development of the rural economy in selected districts of Northern Uganda. The target group of the project is the rural population with a focus on women and young people. It works in five complementary fields of action: i) strengthening of district governments, ii) SME support, iii) access to finance, iv) monitoring of climate emissions  - the fifth field of action v) water for agricultural production falls under the responsibility of AFC/GOPA.

Over 90% of the population in northern Uganda lives from agriculture. In view of the growing population and advancing climate change, the pressure on water resources for agricultural production has increased significantly. While irrigated agriculture is still relatively underdeveloped, it can be used to better regulate access to water, make harvests safer and increase yields as well as income. At the same time, integrated water resources management is necessary to ensure the sustainability of water supply in the face of declining overall availability. The intervention area of AFC/GOPA are the districts of Kitgum, Agago, Lira, Oyam, Dokolo, Amolatar, Gulu, Pader and Otuke.

General Objective of the Project is to improve the agricultural-based development of the rural economy in selected districts of Northern Uganda

The specific objective of this contract is to improve the conditions for water resource management in agricultural small and micro irrigation systems .

 

Services provided include, but are not limited to:

 

Small scale irrigated agriculture

  • Support in the participatory selection of the specific intervention areas at sub-county level as well as the small scale farmers to be supported
  • Support the identification of agricultural products and value chains with potential for market oriented small scale irrigated production (cash & (stable) food crops, livestock and advanced agricultural techniques) that will be supported by the project
  • Support the development of (financial) strategies for small scale farmers to acquire micro irrigation equipment
  • Support the capacity development of small and micro irrigation farmers in technological, business and marketing approaches
  • Support the organizational development of farmer/producer groups
  • Support the selection and dissemination of adapted technologies for small-scale and micro irrigation in order to increase water efficiency and energy saving (e.g. solar water pumps, drip irrigation, water harvesting)
  • Systematically consider the issue of adaptation to climate change with special focus on climate smart and/or conservation agriculture
  • Select, train and coach community based trainers, who will train farmer groups in a cascade training approach on issues of GAP along the crop calendar
  • Cooperate with and strengthen the public agricultural extension staff at district and sub-county level in the implementation of training and coaching activities
  • Support the set-up and operation of demonstration sites at farmer group level
  • Support the identification of off-takers, traders and processors that could integrate the farmer groups into inclusive business models like contract farming and out-grower schemes and support and accompany the set-up and development of such models
  • Support the design and implementation of embedded services in the context of the inclusive business models
  • Support value addition through training in post-harvest handling and simple processing
  • Provide farmer groups with grants for the acquisition of simple irrigation infrastructure and inputs for production (planting material, tools,) and support them in the adequate use of those inputs
  • Identify and implement measures that enhance the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agricultural production, marketing and access to finance

Water resource management

  • Support a situation analysis regarding the water resource management capacities of the 6 district local governments
  • Advise the district local governments on how to include the Water resource management into the district planning
  • Advise Water Management Zone Offices in the development and implementation of processes and procedures to improve water quality monitoring
  • Support the relevant stakeholders for an improved integrated water resources management (IWRM)
  • Systematic cooperation with the deconcentrated structures of the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE)
  • Advise farmers in securing their water use rights and assist them in their interaction with the related public authorities
  • Advise farmers in local water source protection measures

Overall

  • Support the knowledge management within the project as well as with relevant stakeholders at sectorial, regional and/or national level
  • Support the implementation and operation of an impact oriented M&E system