Irrigation Investment and Market Analysis Study
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Date
2018
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Agribusiness Initiative Trust Uganda Ltd
Abstract
The agricultural sector in Uganda faces increasing incidence of prolonged drought and
unreliable rainfall attributed to climate change resulting into decline in agricultural
productivity and household incomes. However, Uganda has an irrigation potential estimated
at about 3,030,000 ha with only less than 1% currently exploited by less than 1% of
agricultural households. In addition, access to water for livestock at present is estimated at
48.8%. Lessons learned from the past 8 years indicate increasing importance of irrigation as
one of the key factors for increasing productivity, incomes and competitiveness of
agribusinesses in both domestic and international markets. Evidence shows that irrigation can
increase yields of coffee, vegetables and fruits by 2 to 4 fold stabilize and increase production
and enhance product quality. It is against this background that a study was carried out to
identify priority areas for enhancing private-sector investment and adoption of irrigation
technologies by SMEs and small scale farmers.