ISSN 2348-1218 (print) International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations ISSN 2348-1226 (online) Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (108-113), Month: April - June 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
“From rain-fed farms to irrigated farms”: Irrigation technology for smart farming in Lira city, mid-north Uganda 1
1
Victor Okuna, 2David Mwesigwa
MA student, Discipline of Public Administration and Management, Lira University, Uganda
2
Senior lecturer, Discipline of Public Administration and Management, Lira University, Uganda
Abstract: Smart farming offers a potentially beneficial prospect for farming in Uganda and beyond. Nonetheless, there is no adequate methodical inquiries on what smart farming essentially denotes and the different openings through which it can be boosted in this perspective. This study aimed to look at one of the different opportunities by which smart farming can be enhanced in mid-north Uganda, that is, irrigation technology, through an experiential analysis of the success stories and observed patterns of those that have implemented the technology. The outcomes appear to describe fundamentally interrelated and reciprocally underpinning components that facilitate irrigation technology to enhance smart farming even where several issues of socioeconomic background remain restrictions. The issues involve initial capital investment as well as abilities and information necessary to operate as well as sustain the technology. Also, the source of water, pipe used to direct the water to the sprinkler, the pump used and the sprinkler used to irrigate the land are key attributes for keeping irrigation technology afloat while at the same time enhancing the much sought for smart farming. We conclude that the above elements echo with the ideas of food security as well as sustainable agricultural practices. This study offers a valued abstract for agricultural extension workers serving local communities in Uganda to promote ecologically responsive farming technologies. Keywords: Smart farming, irrigation, water, sprinkler, Ober.
1. INTRODUCTION Agriculture is an important industry in the world since it feeds the population, contributes to national income and employment, creates raw materials and capital for other sectors, directly and indirectly impacts on exports, biodiversity and ecological balance. It is known that world population exceeded 7 billion in 2018 and it is estimated to reach 9.15 billion by 2050 (Zaman et al., 2017). These figures on population highlight the role of increase in agricultural productivity in the increase of the world population. To feed the potential population, it is necessary to ensure agricultural productivity and agricultural sustainability. 17% of the world's agricultural land is irrigated and 40% of the world's agricultural production is obtained from irrigated agriculture (FAO, 2002). The earliest archaeological evidence of irrigation in farming dates to about 6000 B.C. in the Middle East's Jordan Valley (Hill 1994. It is widely believed that irrigation was being practiced in Egypt at about the same time (Worster1985), and the earliest pictorial representation of irrigation is from Egypt around 3100 B.C (Hill 1994). Globally, irrigation accounts for more than 70% of total water withdrawals and for more than 90% of total consumptive water use (D¨oll, 2009; FAO, 2010; Shiklomanov et al., 2000). Irrigation is the most important water use sector accounting for about 70% of the global freshwater withdrawals and 90% of consumptive water uses. While the extent of irrigation and related water uses are reported in statistical databases or estimated by model simulations, information on the
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