Govt provides sprinklers to boost irrigation farming in Geita

CHATO: APPROXIMATELY 200 smallholder farmers across Chato District and Geita Municipality are set to benefit directly after the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, distributed 20 sprinkler irrigation systems in Geita Region.

The initiative is part of the National Food Systems Resilience Programme (NFSRP), aimed at promoting irrigated farming and significantly reducing dependence on unpredictable rain-fed agriculture.

Speaking during a handover ceremony held in Chato District recently, the NFSRP Coordinator from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Timothy Semburuka said the project aims to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and enhance productivity among smallholder farmers.

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“We have provided sprinkler machines to 20 groups in Geita Region, with Chato receiving 14 sets and Geita Municipality six, making a total of 20 machines,” said Mr Semburuka.

He explained that the main objective of the project is to enable farmers to adapt to the effects of climate change by engaging in irrigation-based farming, which allows for multiple planting seasons each year.

“We want to see a situation where, even after the rainy season ends, farmers, including youth and women can continue cultivating their crops using these sprinklers,” he said.