Overview:
A multi-partner initiative is deploying solar technology and long-term coaching to 80,000 farmers in Uganda to combat a 60 percent drop in agricultural productivity.
KAMPALA, Uganda — A new international consortium has launched a multi-million shilling irrigation initiative aimed at integrating 80,000 Ugandan smallholder farmers into the commercial value chain through subsidized solar technology.
The project, backed by the Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Bank, seeks to stabilize a sector where yields have plummeted 60 percent due to climate-related volatility. By deploying solar-powered irrigation networks, the Danida Green Business Partnership Programme aims to transition subsistence growers into consistent market suppliers.
The consortium brings together a mix of technical and commercial partners, including Germany’s Lorentz, Akvo International, Access to Innovation and the Eastern Africa Grain Council.
While the capital requirements for high-end agricultural inputs have traditionally favored large-scale commercial entities, the program is structured to lower the barrier to entry. Adrian Honey, head of marketing and business development at Lorentz, said the initiative is designed to close the productivity gap between smallholders and established commercial outfits.
Honey said the model moves beyond simple equipment sales, focusing on a holistic solution that includes education, coaching and long-term technical support. The group has already completed a pilot phase involving 3,000 farmers to assess technical requirements and economic viability.
A critical component of the rollout is the financial architecture designed to make the technology affordable for rural households. A World Bank grant provides a 60 percent subsidy on the equipment, while the remaining 40 percent is covered through a credit facility with Pearl Bank Uganda. This financing includes a 15 percent discount and a three-year amortization period.
Daniel Eberu, projects and field service manager at Akvo International Limited, said the partnership with the government ensures that financing is no longer a deterrent for adoption. Following the subsidy, equipment packages are priced between 2.4 million and 4.7 million Ugandan shillings.
Beyond technology, the Eastern Africa Grain Council is leveraging its network of business hubs to organize 25,000 farmers in the northern and eastern regions. Paul Ochuna, the council’s country program manager, said the strategy focuses on ensuring farmers are market-ready by providing support from pre-production through to post-harvest logistics.
The project began its initial scaling phase this week with the training of 10 specialized sales agents who will lead field demonstrations and customer acquisition across the country.