Providing irrigation water as a public utility to enhance agricultural productivity in Uganda

Vagaries of weather remain a significant challenge to enhancing agricultural productivity, farmers' incomes, and economic growth for most developing countries. In Uganda, strategies for intervention are hindered by lack of countries with similar socio-economic, environmental, and economic characteristics from which to draw experience. This paper proposes the provision of supplemental irrigation water as a public utility to enhance agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers in Uganda. It uses nationwide surveys, administrative data, and expert consultation to explore the rationale for irrigation, the potential of supplemental irrigation, and the commercial and operational basis for adopting the proposed system.