Multipurpose Water Infrastructure
However, this great resource is unevenly distributed. In the dry areas, surface water resources are seasonal and ground water potential is often limited. The scarcity of water in some parts of the country results in food insecurity, migration of livestock and an array of associated problems which has led to overgrazing, land degradation, wetland encroachment, spread of diseases and insecurity in some areas. Development and supply of water to supplement rain fed agriculture increases the overall crop, livestock and fish production through increased cropping intensity, forage production and reliable water supply especially in the semi arid and drought prone zones. Cost efficient and sustainable water or production is central and critical to the successful implementation of the governments Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) as a component of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan and the overall Prosperity for All Programme (Bonna Baggaggawale).
Water for Production
Through the Ministry, the Government is implementing several programs, both in rural and urban settings, to harness water resources for human consumption and other production purposes. One of these programs is the Water for Production (WfP), which refers to the development of water resources for productive and multi-purpose uses, including water for human consumption, water for crops, livestock and wildlife, commercial aquaculture (fish farming) rural industries, hydro power generation and any other consumptive uses.
Uganda is blessed with abundant water resources, with over 15 percent of its total surface area covered by water and sufficient rainfall averaging 1,000mm per year. This gives an estimated global renewable water resource of about 1,900m3 per person per year.
The strategic objective of water for production is “to develop water supply for socio-economic development, modernisation of agriculture and mitigate effects of climatic change”.
The water is for multi–purpose use in human consumption, livestock, irrigation, aquaculture, hydro power and industries. This includes carrying out water resources assessment plans, design and construction of water for production facilities, promoting appropriate water harvesting technologies for irrigation and livestock development, promoting and supporting where appropriate, the development of adequate and reliable irrigation and livestock water systems, promoting the participation of farmers and the private sector in financing and planning, building the capacity of local governments, farmers and other stakeholders to access and use of water for crop, livestock and fisheries production.
On-going Water for Production Projects
Development and supply of water to supplement rain-fed agriculture is envisaged to increase the overall crop, livestock, wildlife and fish production through increased cropping intensity and reliable water supply, especially in the semi-arid and drought prone zones. The major projects underway in the water for production program in the current financial year 2009/10 include:
Construction of Kawomeri Dam in Abim District, Leye Dam,Olelpec and Olamia Valley Tanks in Apac District, Kagango Dam ,Obwengyerero and Kagamba Valley Tanks in Isingiro District, a pilot bulk water scheme in Rakai district, Akwera dam in Lira district,Kobebe and Arechet dams in Moroto district, Longorimit dam in Kaabong district, Mayikalo dam ,Lutunku and Kisozi valley tanks in Sembabule district.
Other interventions:
In an effort to reduce the cost of implementation of water for production facilities, the Ministry has procured construction equipment which is being accessed by private farmers and organisations in districts. Two sets of equipment have been currently deployed in the Western and Karamoja regions. The farmers, the district and the Ministry are partnering in the running of the equipment through an agreed upon management framework. Plans are underway to procure more sets of equipment to cover all the regions.
The Ministry is also providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries in the implementation of the National Livestock Productivity Improvement Project. A total of 1.96m3 of storage is expected to be created under the project. This is an ADB funded project based in MAAIF with a number of components. Implementation of water for livestock component is by the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Water for Production Department.
Water for production storage will be increased from 48.8 percent to 52.2 percent by the year 2009/10 in water stressed areas for multipurpose use i.e. livestock, wildlife and crop production will increase due to independency on rain fed agriculture. Through the main stream project 1.45m3 storage capacity is expected to be created and the old reservoirs are to be stocked with appropriate species of fish to increase aquaculture portfolio in the water stressed areas.
More water will thus lead to increased livestock, characterised by low animal mortality rates, extremely high productivity levels, minimal movements in search for water with its diverse effects i.e. high spread of animal diseases and, overgrazing. This will in turn increase productivity, increase quality and quantity of livestock thus increasing incomes and in the long run reducing poverty.
Provision of more storage will provide an input in the rural industrialisation i.e. Rubare earth dam is targeted to provide water to a flower industry which is providing employment to the local communities. It will be stocked with fish for promoting aquaculture.
With availability of water, time spent searching for water will be saved by farmers for other productive and income generating activities which would greatly impact on the reduction of the increasing poverty rates. Furthermore in collaboration with MAAIF, fish seeds will be provided to the beneficiary communities for stocking in the existing facilities for increased production of aquaculture.
More water management committees will be established and trained to sustain ably operate and maintain the facilities and this will greatly contribute to the sustainability of the facilities.
