Drip irrigation as a smart farming technology: a microstudy of a solar-powered water pump in Lira city, mid-north Uganda

Abstract

This microstudy aimed to investigate the adoption of drip irrigation to enhance smart farming technology in Lira city. A descriptive design was employed targeting one farm and data was collected using a transect walk within the site coupled with observations and in-depth personal interviews. All data was qualitative and it was analysed using thematic analysis. The outcomes suggest that the drip irrigation technology and the amount of resources invested have the potential to contribute to smart farming technologies in the city and beyond nonetheless, low adaptation may delay the success of this goal. The outcomes of this study may be used as basis for the city authorities and other neighbouring districts to scale out this technology given that climatic conditions have become very unreliable yet demand for food at both household level and community level is rising. This paper makes a contribution to the growing body of knowledge y highlighting a key prospect for smart farming that can enhance sustainable farming towards food secure households and communities.