By Nasuru Hassan Ocen | Dokolo District Local Government has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) for its outstanding performance in the implementation of micro-scale irrigation projects aimed at enhancing agricultural production and productivity.
The recognition was announced on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, by Dr. Richard Enyang, the District Production Officer (DPO), during an interview with tndNews at his office at Dokolo district headquarters.
Dr. Enyang confirmed that the district received certificates of appreciation from MAAIF for its tremendous and credible work in rolling out irrigation systems that have improved livelihoods and increased household incomes.
According to Dr. Enyang, Dokolo district has successfully installed 28 irrigation sites under the first and second phases of the program.
These included 12 sites in the first phase, three demonstration sites, and 13 in the second phase.
He explained that the irrigation projects have enabled farmers to shift from rain-dependent farming to more reliable and sustainable practices, thereby boosting agricultural yields and resilience against climate change.
The DPO further encouraged farmers to adopt perennial crops such as coffee and cocoa, noting that these would help in poverty eradication and long-term income security. He urged beneficiaries to make full use of extension workers in order to expand and sustain the irrigation systems.
Despite the success, Dr. Enyang highlighted some challenges faced during the implementation of the projects. These include limited water facilities in certain areas, low levels of co-funding from farmers, and negative attitudes by some farmers toward irrigation.
He stressed that addressing these challenges will be key to consolidating the district’s achievements and ensuring sustainability.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) David Kasura Kyomukama, praised Dokolo district as the best-performing district in implementing micro-scale irrigation programs.
He noted that the recognition serves as motivation for other districts to scale up similar efforts, which are critical for national food security and improved household incomes.
The micro-scale irrigation initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize agriculture and strengthen climate-smart practices.
With changing weather patterns and increasing pressure on natural resources, the program is designed to provide smallholder farmers with affordable irrigation technologies, enabling them to engage in all-year-round farming.
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