TotalEnergies has commissioned a solar-powered irrigation system in Uganda to bolster food security in Buliisa.
BULIISA, UGANDA – In a significant step towards sustainable agricultural development, TotalEnergies EP Uganda has commissioned a new solar-powered irrigation system at Ndandamire Primary School, an initiative designed to enhance food security and boost household incomes for project-affected communities in the district.
This system is a cornerstone of a three-pronged intervention, which also includes a comprehensive training program in modern farming techniques. The centrepiece of this training is a demonstration farm established at the school, serving as a living classroom for both local farmers and students.
Daphine Natukunda, Social Package Manager at TotalEnergies EP Uganda, emphasised the project's dual objective. "Our primary goal is to directly improve food security and household income in this project area," Natukunda stated. "By establishing a demonstration garden at the school, we are not only empowering current farmers but also equipping the next generation with practical agricultural skills, fostering long-term resilience."
The innovation arrives as a direct response to the district's battle with climate change. Professor Levi Musinguzi, Buliisa District Chief Administrative Officer, highlighted the system's critical role. "We endure severe dry spells that devastate our greenery and livelihoods. This solar-powered irrigation is a vital tool to counter these challenges," he explained. Professor Musinguzi praised the initiative's immediate benefit to the Ndandamire community and appealed for its replication in other vulnerable schools across the district.
The technology is already seeing widespread adoption. According to Wyclif Katulinde, the Buliisa District Production Officer, farmers who have trained at the demonstration farm are implementing the techniques at home. "We are witnessing a marked improvement in production," Katulinde reported. "The adoption of good agronomic practices—early weeding, timely planting, and high-yield varieties—coupled with year-round water access, is enabling farmers to harvest continuously, transforming local agriculture from seasonal to sustained."
Concluding the commissioning, Sylvester Tumukuratire, the Buliisa District Resident Commissioner, urged the school administration and local farmers to be diligent custodians of the facility. His call to action underscored the importance of proper utilisation and maintenance to ensure the project's long-term success and maximum community benefit.
