Uganda obtains funds for the irrigation schemes of Unyama, Namalu, and Sipi.

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) will contribute $86.5 million to Uganda’s irrigation plan development. Unyama in Amuru District, Namalu in Karamoja, and Sipi in Bukwo-Sebei are among the plans.

The money was approved last week by the World Bank, which set aside money to fund 24 new development projects in 19 member nations in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The selected projects span a variety of development areas, including road construction and high-speed transportation; clean and renewable energy; poultry, fisheries, irrigation and agriculture; child nutrition; academic and technical education; and vocational training.

The Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Programme-II projects in Uganda are projected to improve poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, climate resilience, and access to sustainable water resources.

The loan for the three projects was obtained on the basis that, while irrigated agriculture has increased crop yields and cropping seasons to two or even more in many parts of the world, Uganda continues to face a major challenge of prolonged drought and unexpected floods as a result of climate change.

The irrigation projects, according to a statement released earlier by the Finance Ministry, will solve difficulties associated to rain-fed agriculture, such as extended droughts and low production, by adopting systems based on runoff water.

The projects, according to the Ministry, are aimed at increasing the production and quality of the project regions’ key agricultural crops, such as rice, maize, coffee, cassava, mango, fish, and honey.

Dr Muhammad Al Jasser, President and Chairman of the Board of the IsDB, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to member countries in meeting their development problems and regaining control of their economy.