Stakeholders at the Green Drops Summit in Namanve called for wider adoption of solar-powered pumps, automated irrigation and water-efficient technologies to reduce farmers’ dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.
Agricultural stakeholders, government officials and irrigation technology providers are calling for wider adoption of smart and solar-powered irrigation systems to help Ugandan farmers cope with unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells and climate uncertainty.
The call was made during the second edition of the Green Drops Summit, organised by Sprinktech in Namanve, where participants explored how modern irrigation technologies, automation and strategic partnerships could improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
Founded in 2017, Sprinktech aims to expand access to irrigation solutions across Uganda, particularly for farmers whose livelihoods depend on increasingly unreliable rainfall.
Sprinktech Chief Executive Officer Javan Mukundane said the company was established in response to changing weather patterns affecting agricultural production.
“We started Sprinktech in 2017 with the major aim of championing irrigation in Uganda because in the recent past there has been a long drought, weather has been unpredictable, and we thought our farmers needed our services,” Mukundane said.
He said irrigation had evolved beyond labour-intensive traditional methods, with automated systems enabling farmers to monitor soil and water conditions and determine when crops require watering.
“Irrigation has been made simple to farmers who don’t have access to water, using pumps and other machines,” he said.
The systems can be monitored and controlled remotely through smart controllers developed in partnership with technology innovators, allowing farmers to manage water application more efficiently.
Sprinktech, which operates branches in Kampala, Mbarara and Gulu, is also encouraging farmers to consider solar-powered irrigation as an alternative to conventional energy sources.
Mukundane urged farmers to take advantage of irrigation equipment available at subsidised costs through government and World Bank-supported programmes.
The availability of such equipment could help lower the initial cost of adopting irrigation, although access to financing, reliable water sources and technical support remains important for farmers considering the technology.
Karin Jeannette, chief executive officer of Swiss company ENNOS AG, said partnerships between technology providers were essential in delivering practical solutions to agricultural challenges.
“It’s a pleasure always to partner with Sprinktech because together they offer the best to farmers and Uganda at large,” Jeannette said.
ENNOS designs water pumps and promotes climate-smart agricultural practices intended to help farmers increase yields while improving water management. The company has also partnered with Sky App to develop an application in Uganda aimed at simplifying customer interactions.
Gaurav Sharma of Kirloskar Fluid Dynamics, representing the Varuna brand, highlighted solar-powered pumps as a practical option for farmers facing unreliable electricity supplies.
The systems can enable farmers to draw water for irrigation without relying entirely on the national power grid.
Solar-powered irrigation could help farmers expand production, particularly in areas where electricity access is limited or expensive.
However, its effectiveness also depends on the availability of water and the suitability of the equipment to farmers’ needs.
Engineer Dominic Banaga Mucunguzi, assistant commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Management at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said reliable water supplies were fundamental to agricultural production.
“There is no agriculture without water,” Mucunguzi said, stressing that irrigation systems must be supported by adequate and sustainable water sources.
He highlighted the need to ensure water reaches areas where it is required while balancing competing demands from agriculture, hydropower generation and other users.
“Water should be where it’s needed,” he said.
Mucunguzi said farmers faced challenges ranging from water shortages to excessive rainfall, which can wash away fertile soils, and poor water quality. Sustainable water management and appropriate technology, he said, were necessary to address these challenges and improve irrigation practices.
The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss how irrigation infrastructure and efficient water-use systems could help farmers manage these risks.
Presentations showcased technologies designed to make irrigation more precise, affordable and efficient, including irrigation-as-a-service models that combine pumps with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, automated controllers and mobile applications to monitor water consumption and manage irrigation remotely.
Some systems use solar energy instead of fuel, potentially lowering operating costs and improving access to irrigation in farming communities with limited electricity access.
Participants also explored advances in irrigation controllers, ranging from conventional valves to smart two-wire decoder systems and newer devices with two-way communication capabilities.
Drip irrigation, including surface and subsurface systems, was presented as another option for delivering water directly to crops while reducing unnecessary losses.
Engineer Philly Tumuramye of Laserspray demonstrated laser irrigation technology, which uses small perforated pipes to distribute water through multiple fine jets in a pattern resembling rainfall.
Tumuramye said the technology offered low-pressure operation, even water distribution, low maintenance requirements and potential cost savings, making it an option for farmers seeking more efficient irrigation methods.
Representatives from the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, non-governmental organisations, development partners and solar technology companies attended the summit in Namanve.
Discussions centred on bridging the gap between irrigation technology providers and farmers, particularly smallholder producers who may struggle with equipment costs, access to water and technical support.
For Uganda, where agriculture remains a major source of livelihoods, wider irrigation adoption could reduce dependence on seasonal rainfall, stabilise production and strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate-related shocks.
However, expanding access will require affordable equipment, reliable water sources, financing, technical expertise and greater awareness of available technologies. Sustainable irrigation will also depend on responsible water use to avoid putting additional pressure on rivers, lakes and other water sources.
As weather patterns become less predictable, the summit highlighted the need to integrate irrigation into Uganda’s agricultural development plans rather than treat it solely as a response to drought.
Investments in smart irrigation, solar-powered pumps and sustainable water management could help farmers maintain more reliable production, protect their livelihoods and strengthen the country’s long-term food security.