Groundwater Access Boosts Women-Led Farming and Financial Freedom in Kapchorwa                                           

Groundwater Access Boosts Women-Led Farming and Financial Freedom in Kapchorwa                                           

By Javier Silas Omagor

In Uganda’s eastern district of Kapchorwa, women farmers, just like male farmers,  have historically depended on erratic rain-fed agriculture, a practice that often left them at the mercy of unpredictable weather patterns.

However, a remarkable transformation is underway as some of these women discover and embrace groundwater harvesting for farming.

They dig deep wells to access groundwater, which they pump with solar energy to irrigate their crops. Others access water from boreholes and irrigate their crops. 

Kapchorwa district lies on the Uganda side of Mount Elgon Aquifer.

According to the Nile Basin Initiative, the Mt. Elgon aquifer is a transboundary aquifer shared between Kenya and Uganda. It covers an estimated area of approximately 4,900 km², with about 85% of it located within the Nile Basin. This aquifer extends from Mt. Elgon, a solitary extinct volcano straddling the Kenya-Uganda border. 

On the Ugandan side, the aquifer underlies at least nine districts: Kapchorwa and Kween, which are entirely within the aquifer region, as well as Amudat, Bududa, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Nakapiripirit, Namisindwa, and Sironko.

One of the female farmers making use of Mount Elgon Aquifer’s groundwater is Harriet Chelangat, She owns a farm on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Kawowo village, Tingye county, Kapchorwa district  Using the groundwater system, Chelangat has enhanced her farming practices and increased the harvests.

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Water flows from a borehole into a jerrycan. In Kapchwora, families utilize groundwater for their domestic needs and agricultural purposes. Photo by Emma Muchunguzi. 

With the aid of a groundwater well, Chelangat utilizes a solar-powered water pump to pump and irrigate her gardens, ensuring a consistent water supply regardless of unpredictable weather patterns. This innovation has enabled her to cultivate crops such as cabbages, onions, and other vegetables.

“The impact of this groundwater has been life-changing,” explains Chelangat. She notes that she previously relied solely on rain, which often led to uncertainty and losses, especially during the dry seasons. However, she now provides her crops with the necessary water all year round with the groundwater irrigation system.

“I have seen my yields increase, allowing me to feed my family and sell surplus produce,” shares Chelangat.

Another such farmer is Topester Chemutai, a female model small-scale farmer in Kapchesombe ward, Kapchorwa Municipality, Kapchorwa district.

She harvests groundwater from a borehole and pumps it to irrigate her passion fruits and Irish potatoes. When she is not irrigating, Chemutai and her neighbors use the borehole to access water for domestic use.

Chemutai states that harvesting groundwater for irrigation has “transformed not only our lives as rural women but also the way we do farming in this society.”

With access to groundwater, Chemutai has been able to transform her  barren fields into flourishing gardens, growing a variety of crops and gaining financial independence. This innovation allowed them to not only feed her family but also sell produce at local markets.

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More farmers in Kapchorwa district are harnessing underground water for irrigation enabling them to boost  crop yields. Photo By Javier Silas Omagor. 

Adding to this dynamic group is Winnie Cherop, another farmer residing in Kwoti ward, Kapchorwa Municipality.

Cherop describes the introduction of solar-powered groundwater irrigation systems as a significant turning point for their farming practices.

“Our incomes are changing daily, and this growth continues throughout the year, unlike in the past,” adds Cherop.

Cherop notes that the impact of these advancements goes beyond just farming; they are changing lives and improving societal dynamics.

“We relied on traditional water sources for farming, and had little income.

Couples used to indulge in so many fights, often leading to separation, further weakening our income generation. But now we have a solution,” reflects Cherop.

women-led farming
A carrot farmer displays after harvesting.

In Chema, Tingye County, Esther Chemusto has found a better way to water her tomato farm. 

After spending sh3 million to set up a solar-powered irrigation system that taps into groundwater, she no longer faces the high costs of hydropower and water from private suppliers.  

“I used to spend over sh40,000 a week just on electricity, and with the added water costs from private suppliers, my monthly expenses could reach sh250,000,” she shares. 

Now, she enjoys the benefits of using a natural resource, allowing her to save more from her harvest. 

Martin Mangusho, who grows Irish potatoes, reinforces Esther’s experience. 

“Groundwater is far better than relying on rainfall,” he explains. 

He notes that, unlike unpredictable rain showers that can damage crops, irrigation from groundwater is gentle and reliable. 

“We can’t expect rain all year, but groundwater is always available,” he notes. 

He notes that it is not just about saving money but also means healthier crops and a more sustainable farming approach. 

According to the Nile Basin Initiative,  small farmers in the Mount Elgon Aquifer area primarily practice mixed farming methods. This approach involves cultivating various types of crops alongside raising livestock. However, this type of farming is water-intensive, which calls for groundwater exploration to supplement surface water. 

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Land cover and land use around the Mt. Elgon aquifer region of Uganda and Kenya. Map by NBI. 

Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment has been promoting the solar-powered groundwater irrigation initiative in rural Kapchorwa and is happy about the progress and positive change being witnessed.

Engineer Joel Wanda from the ministry says that as the lead agency in the project, they are impressed by the social impact, especially on the local female farmers.

“They are able to farm and harvest throughout the season using a solar-powered irrigation approach,” says Wanda.

Jim Justin Yeko, the commercial officer for Kapchorwa district, reveals that around 800 small-scale female farmers in the district have adopted solar energy to pump groundwater for irrigation. 

“One of the most notable initiatives in the region has been the installation of solar-powered water pumps, which extract groundwater from deeper underground reserves and channel it into irrigation systems,” she notes.

She says this technology is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. “It allows farmers to maintain consistent water access, reduce dependency on rain, and boost crop yields,” she highlights.

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In the background is a solar power system a farmer in Kapchwar uses to pump underground water to irrigate her crops.

Evelyn Kubarika, the chairperson of Kapchorwa district, praises the new groundwater initiative in her region.

She emphasizes that tapping into groundwater is crucial for ensuring stable crop production and improving food security.

“Changing weather conditions often result in crop failures and food insecurity, creating hardships for many farmers, particularly women who traditionally bear the responsibility of cultivating food for their families.”

Kubarika urges all farmers in the district to support sustainable practices that fight climate challenges.

“Together, we can secure a better future for our farmers and families,” she notes.

This story was produced with support from NBI Secretariat (Nile-Sec), which, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented a program across the Nile Basin focused on shared groundwater aquifers. The project’s goal was to improve water resource management at both the national and basin levels.

The first phase concentrated on building knowledge and capacity for the sustainable use and management of significant transboundary aquifers within the Nile Basin. Three aquifer areas were selected for intervention: the Kagera aquifer shared by Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi; the Mt Elgon aquifer shared by Uganda and Kenya; and the Gedaref-Adigrat aquifer shared by Sudan and Ethiopia. These aquifers are located in various climates, including arid, semi-arid, and tropical regions.

Initially, the phase involved gathering existing data and creating a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Report (SADA) for the three selected aquifers. The subsequent phase engaged in groundwater modeling to enhance understanding of the aquifers and analyze scenarios based on changes in climate and groundwater use.

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