In the struggle to adjust to crop losses due to prolonged droughts in Lira district, plastic bottles have emerged as an unbelievable solution. 

These ubiquitous, discarded containers, often seen littering city streets and wetlands, are being repurposed in innovative ways that address pollution, boost household incomes, and create more sustainable agricultural practices.

Drip irrigation is at the forefront of this transformation, a technique that has long been heralded as a water-efficient method for growing crops. 

Often seen as waste, plastic bottles are finding new life in agricultural communities, especially in rural and semi-arid areas where drought and water scarcity are persistent issues and access to expensive irrigation systems is limited.

Small-scale farmers like Denis Okello, 52, a resident of Abwong B village, Adyaka parish, Agali sub-county in Lira district, are reaping big after turning to a simple yet ingenious method of drip irrigation made from repurposed plastic bottles.

According to Okello, this innovation is enabling him to maximise crop yield even during the dry season while conserving water and minimising environmental impact.

He says these low-cost drip irrigation systems have offered him a practical solution, especially on his 9-acre coffee plantation that he started in 2021.

“Due to drought, my first coffee plantation on 5 acres of land did not do well. However, I later discovered drip irrigation that eventually became so practical and effective in my other 4 acres of coffee plantation garden,” said Okello.

He relies on this technique during the hot months of November to around February.

“Since I have my own water source at home that I drilled, I resorted to using the 1.5L plastic bottles by cutting small holes at the bottom. They use gravity to slowly drip water directly onto the roots of plants,” he explained.

Okello further says the method has allowed for precise water delivery, reducing waste and ensuring that crops receive only what they need. 

Furthermore, he highlights that the bottles can be buried near the base of plants or hung on posts to regulate water flow, creating an efficient and sustainable irrigation network on a budget.

With water being one of the most expensive resources for farmers, especially during dry spells, using plastic bottles for irrigation drastically reduces costs.

For Okello, this type of water-conserving irrigation system has also enabled the diversification of farming activity.

He says that his savings and profits have enabled him to reinvest in his farm and also begin planting soya beans, rice, and sunflower, including supporting his children’s education.

This innovation has meant the difference between subsistence farming and thriving businesses, helping him to climb out of poverty.

Dorcus Alum, the Lira District Agricultural Officer, notes that a few small-scale farmers in Lira district have embraced the initiative that is being encouraged by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries.

According to Alum, the drip irrigation method has helped farmers improve their standard of living by increasing farm productivity through the use of cost-effective irrigation technology.

“MAAIF designed the drip irrigation because they knew it would be effective for the farmers and also improve productivity,” she said.

Alum further confirms testimonies from farmers benefiting from the method, noting that the method was timely, especially now that the country is battling the effects of climate change.

There is no denying that the environmental implications of plastic pollution are staggering. Yet, in Lira district, these same plastics, often discarded after a single use, are finding a new life in agriculture.

This practice not only diverts millions of bottles from landfills but also mitigates the harmful environmental impact of plastic waste. 

In rural communities where recycling infrastructure is minimal or non-existent, turning plastic waste into functional irrigation tools offers an immediate and effective solution.

In an exclusive interview, Lira city’s environmental officer, Leonard Otika, says drip irrigation is currently practised by small-scale farmers in the outskirts of Lira city and in the rural areas, especially for farmers dealing in growing tomatoes, onions, carrots and other horticulture crops.

Otika appreciated the farmers who have adopted drip irrigation to ensure that moisture is added to the crops.

He explained that drip irrigation is the most effective innovation farmers can use since the materials are readily available, cheap, and, most importantly, noting that the use of plastic bottles in drip irrigation has reduced littering of waste bottles and environmental pollution.

On that note, he encouraged small-scale farmers who cannot afford micro irrigation schemes like pipes and sprinklers, which are rather expensive, to utilise drip irrigation as a way of boosting their farming and increasing household incomes.

He also confirmed a partnership with the Global Livingstone Institute in collecting plastic bottles since 2020, noting that since the initial collection, 45,000 tons have been collected, with a kilogram going for 1,000 Uganda shillings.

Drip irrigation can help mitigate the effects of climate change on agricultural production.

By using plastic bottles to conserve water, farmers can better manage scarce resources during drought periods, while ensuring that crops receive consistent moisture during unpredictable weather patterns. 

The efficiency of this system allows farmers to grow a variety of crops, including those that are traditionally more water-intensive, such as vegetables and fruits, which would have otherwise been unfeasible in dry climates.

Besides conserving water, Lira farmers say that plastic bottle irrigation systems also help to mitigate the effects of climate-induced soil erosion since they deliver water slowly and evenly without the risk of water runoff, which can carry away valuable topsoil.

The production of this story was supported by InfoNile in partnership with Palladium under Climate Smart Jobs