On 22nd January 2025, a team from Kumi District Local Government took a significant step forward in the implementation of the UgIFT Micro-scale Irrigation Program by embarking on an insightful exchange visit to Bugiri District Local Government. This initiative was orchestrated by the Department of Production, with a carefully selected group of technical and political leaders from Kumi visiting Bugiri District.  The primary aim was to foster greater awareness of the program while sharing valuable experiences regarding best practices and challenges encountered in the deployment of the UgIFT Micro-scale Irrigation Program. During the visit, Mr. Rajab Ogogol, the District Production Officer, provided key insights. He noted that Kumi had witnessed a relatively higher number of applicants expressing interest in the program, having conducted numerous awareness-raising events and farm visits compared to Bugiri.  However, despite this enthusiastic engagement, Kumi had reported a bottleneck in installations, with only 12 and 13 installations currently in the pipeline. He urged the visiting team to seize this opportunity to absorb as many lessons as they could and implement these insights upon their return. Mr. Stephen Magero, representing the Chief Administrative Officer, underscored the successful integration of the micro-scale irrigation program within Bugiri, which has received widespread endorsement from both political leaders and local farmers.  He emphasized the critical nature of knowledge sharing, encouraging ongoing collaboration and unity between the two districts. He also urged his team to pinpoint potential areas where Bugiri could benchmark its efforts against Kumi’s successes. The field visit encompassed a tour of three notable sites, beginning with the Pearl Agribusiness and Skilling Centre located in Izira Village, Nakavule Parish in Kapyanga Sub County.  This center showcased a diverse range of enterprises, including dairy farming, piggery, goat rearing, poultry, aquaculture, vegetable production, and pasture cultivation. The farm featured multiple sophisticated irrigation systems: drip irrigation for vegetable cultivation, rain gun irrigation specifically for bananas, and a sprinkler system for pasture management. The team also visited the Department of Production Farmers Skilling Centre situated in Kafufu Cell, Gulumwoyo Ward in Namayemba Town Council, along with a private farm owned by Engineer Alex Ekirukubinza in Bukanda Village, Iwemba Parish, Iwemba Sub County. T he Micro-scale Irrigation Program is an integral component of Uganda’s comprehensive National Irrigation Policy, which aspires to bring 1.5 million hectares of land under irrigation by 2040. This program is designed to empower farmers by facilitating the purchase and utilization of individual irrigation equipment, thereby promoting year-round cultivation of high-value crops that boost food security and enhance household incomes. Notably, the program operates through a matching grant scheme, where the costs associated with purchasing equipment are collaboratively funded by both the farmer and the government, ensuring equitable access to necessary resources for effective agricultural practices.