WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/CFMC/W/31 
15 May 2008 
 
 (08-2240) 
  
 Original:   English 
  
DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK 
MECHANISM ON COTTON 
 
Cotton Projects
1 
 
Communication from Uganda 
  
 The following communication, dated 17 July 2007, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Uganda.  
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PROJECT N° 5 - SUPPORT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COST EFFECTIVE 
 SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION SY STEMS IN COTTON GROWING 
AREAS OF UGANDA 
 
 
I. JUSTIFICATION 
1. One of the major factors contributing to low cotton production in Uganda is the over 
dependence on rain-fed production systems.  
2. Uganda usually receives adequate rainfall comp ared to other Sub-Saharan countries, however 
the major problem is inconsistent rainfall distri bution over the rain season. When this happens during 
the cotton-growing season, critical growth stages of th e crop are affected resulting in low yields and 
reduction in overall production, decline in quality, reduction in incomes to rural households as well as 
decline in the national foreign exchange receipts.  
3. It is therefore necessary to assist cotton farm ers to over come the inconsistent rainfall 
distribution by making optimal use of the water from the abundant water bodies and/or optimizing use 
of rainwater. 
II. OBJECTIVES 
(a) Establish cost effective small-scale irrigation systems in cotton growing areas that are 
endowed with natural water bodies.  
(b) Develop water-harvesting technologies to  address effects of drought on cotton 
production. 
                                                     
 
1 This project was distributed amongst the Development Community by e-mail on 31 August 2007. WT/CFMC/W/31 
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  III. DESCRIPTION OF MAIN ACTIVITIES 
(a) Design and set-up small-scale irrigation systems for group farms and medium/large-
scale commercial farms. 
(b) Train technical staff needed to operate, ma nage and maintain the irrigation systems. 
(c) Develop technologies for harvesting, storing and applying rain water to cotton fields 
during drought intervals. 
(d) Capacity building for extension sta ff and farmers on water harvesting and 
management. 
IV. EXPECTED RESULTS 
(a) Pilot small-scale irrigation systems established. 
(b) Rainwater harvesting, storage and a pplication mechanisms developed. 
(c) Knowledge and expertise in irrigati on and water management acquired. 
(d) Quantitative and qualitative improvement in cotton production. 
(e) Quantitative improvement in rural hou sehold incomes and national economy. 
V. PROJECT COSTS 
 
Year 1 US$  310,000 
Year 2 US$  195,000 
Year 3 US$  185,000 
Year 4 US$  140,000 
Year 5 US$    50,000 
TOTAL US$  870,000 
 
 
VI. ACTIVITIES TO BE FUNDED 
Designing of small-scale irrigation systems US$  100,000 
Establishment of 8 pilot small-scale irrigation  
systems in the 8 cotton zones US$  400,000 
Capacity building for technical and extension  
staff and farmers US$  170,000 
Design and develop rainwater harvesting and  
storage technologies US$  100,000 
Monitoring and evaluation US$  100,000 
TOTAL US$  870,000 
 
  WT/CFMC/W/31 
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  VII. COST SPREAD OVER TH E PROJECT PERIOD 
 
Estimated Cost (US$ ‘000) Activity 
Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Total 
Designing of small-scale irrigation systems 100 - - - - 100 
Establishment of small-scale irrigation 
systems 100 100 100 100 100 400 
Training technical staff 30 25 15 - - 70 
Development of rainwater harvesting, storage 
and application technologies 40 30 30 - - 100 
Capacity building for extension staff and 
farmers 30 20 20 20 20 100 
Monitoring and evaluation 10 20 20 20 30 100 
TOTAL 310 195 185 140 50 870 
 
 VIII.  DURATION:  five years. 
IX. IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:  Cotton Development Organization. 
X. LOCATION:  all cotton growing areas in Uganda. one pilot small-scale irrigation system 
will be established on a block/group farm in ev ery zone, bringing the total number to 8 as 
follows:  i)  West Nile Zone;  ii) Northern;  iii) Teso;  iv) Pallisa/Bugisu;  v) Tororo/Busia;  
vi) Busoga;  vii) Mid West;  viii) Western.  On other hand, the rainwater harvesting and 
storage technology will be hosted by farmers sel ected in every zone and will act as training 
centres for other farmers.     
XI. IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:  Cotton Development Organization. 
XII. PARTNERS:  Ministry of Lands, Water and Environmen t;  Ministry of Agriculture, Animal 
Industry and Fisheries;  National Agriculture Research Organization (NARO);  Faculty of 
Agriculture, Makerere University;  Faculty of  Technology, Makerere University;  National 
Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS). 
 
 
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