TotalEnergies unveils solar-powered irrigation system at Ndandamire Primary School, boosting food security and education in Buliisa
The commissioning of this solar-powered irrigation system at Ndandamire Primary School represents a significant step forward in fostering sustainable development, improving educational outcomes, and building food-secure communities in Uganda.
In a significant stride towards enhancing community resilience and sustainable development, TotalEnergies EP Uganda, in partnership with Community Integrated Development Initiatives (CIDI), has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art solar-powered irrigation system at Ndandamire Primary School in Buliisa District. This vital infrastructure is a cornerstone of the Community Agriculture Initiatives (CAI) Project.
The commissioning marks a key milestone in a broader three-year programme dedicated to improving food security and household incomes for project-affected communities across Buliisa, Kikuube, Hoima, Pakwach, and Nwoya districts.
The innovative irrigation system at Ndandamire Primary School is set to revolutionize local agricultural practices by enabling year-round crop production. Beyond its direct impact on food availability, the system is designed to significantly bolster the school feeding programme, thereby improving learner nutrition and sanitation.
It will also serve as a crucial hands-on learning tool for both students and local farmers, simultaneously acting as a model for future installations within the comprehensive programme.
The robust system features a 30,000-litre water reservoir and a powerful solar pump, utilizing efficient drip and LaserJet irrigation lines to maximize water usage. Crucially, it also incorporates multiple handwashing stations and two public standpipes, providing essential access to clean water for the entire school community, addressing crucial health and hygiene needs.
Robert Byaruhanga, the Headteacher of Ndandamire Primary School, expressed profound gratitude for the initiative. “The garden provides food for school meals, generates income for school needs, and has reduced absenteeism caused by hunger, leading to better learner performance and higher enrolment,” he stated.
Byaruhanga further highlighted the broader community impact, noting that the initiative has “created jobs for community members and inspired the formation of a savings group.”
Dr. Wyclif Abitegeka, Buliisa District Production Officer, lauded the project as a strategic intervention. He described the water for production system under the Community Agriculture Initiative as “a strategic solution for year-round food production,” emphasizing its role in promoting sustainable livelihoods and serving as a robust climate-change adaptation measure vital for the region’s resilience.
Dr. Jjuuko Fulgensio, Executive Director of Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI), a national NGO with extensive development activities in Uganda, provided a broader perspective on the positive impact of the Community Agriculture Initiative.
He revealed the establishment of “10 district-level demonstration gardens spanning 40 acres at schools like Ndandamire Primary School,” alongside “40 one-acre community demonstration farms being set up across villages in Buliisa, Kikuube, Hoima, Pakwach, and Nwoya districts.”
These various demonstration gardens, he underscored, “serve as practical learning centers for sharing agricultural knowledge with both community members and pupils.”
The commissioning of this solar-powered irrigation system at Ndandamire Primary School represents a significant step forward in fostering sustainable development, improving educational outcomes, and building food-secure communities in Uganda.
