By Willy Chowoo
In Kasaana Cell, Masaka City in southern Uganda, a 62-year-old farmer, Mr. Fred Ggwayambade Musaka, has turned an ancient irrigation tool into a lifeline for his community. Using a shadoof, a device first used in ancient Egypt over 5,000 years ago, Mr. Ggwayambade is transforming the way local farmers tackle climate change and its devastating effects on agriculture.
The shadoof, also known as a shaduf, is a simple yet highly efficient tool for lifting water. It consists of a long, counterbalanced pole mounted on a pivot, with a bucket attached to one end. The tool allows users to raise water from wells, rivers, or other sources with minimal effort. For Mr. Ggwayambade, this age-old technology has become a modern solution to combat prolonged droughts that threaten the livelihoods of farmers in the region.
An Innovative Approach to Drought
Having spent most of his life farming, Mr. Ggwayambade was deeply concerned about the erratic rainfall patterns and water shortages caused by climate change. He recalls the days when he had to purchase water daily to sustain his crops and livestock. “When I first started farming here, I was buying water every single day. It was expensive and unsustainable. I realized I needed a permanent solution,” he explains.
His breakthrough came after participating in farmer training sessions organized by the now-defunct VI Agroforestry organization and later by ESAFF Uganda, which introduced him to agroecology and sustainable farming practices. Inspired by a learning trip outside Uganda, he built a deep water well—30 meters below the ground—and installed a shadoof system to access the water.
Building the Shadoof
Constructing the shadoof was no easy task. It took Mr. Ggwayambade and his team three weeks to dig the well and install the irrigation mechanism. The top of the well was cemented to prevent contamination, and a wooden roller (pivot) was set up to support the shadoof. A rope tied to the pivot is used to lower a modified jerrycan into the well. The jerrycan, cut open on one side, fills with water when submerged. Once full, it is rolled back up using the pivot.
On average, it takes 10 minutes to fill a 20-liter jerrycan, and the system can produce up to 600 liters of water per hour. This water is then transferred into a 200-liter storage tank, from which Mr. Ggwayambade uses a water pump to irrigate his six-acre farm.
A Diverse and Sustainable Farm
Mr. Ggwayambade’s farm is a model of resilience and sustainability. He practices agroforestry, intercropping coffee plants, fruit trees, apiaries, and traditional herbal trees. His organic approach to farming includes making his own compost manure using charcoal dust, sawdust, and grass, as well as liquid manure from urine collected in his eco-sun latrine.
“Intercropping helps me eliminate the spread of pests in my gardens and ensures that I make the most of my land,” he shares.
The water from the shadoof not only sustains his crops but also supports his livestock, including goats and bees, and is used for domestic purposes such as washing and drinking. During dry spells, Mr. Ggwayambade even supplies water to his neighbors, who would otherwise have to travel 5 kilometers to the nearest water source.
Addressing Climate Change Locally
Uganda has been severely impacted by climate change, with increasing instances of floods and droughts. According to the 2019 State of Climate of Uganda report by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority, rainfall distribution has become increasingly erratic, affecting agricultural productivity.
Mr. Ggwayambade believes that farmers must adopt local, cost-effective solutions to combat these challenges. “Many people think it’s impossible to solve these problems because of their mindset. But I believe in using what we have to address local challenges,” he says.
A Message of Hope
Through determination and ingenuity, Mr. Ggwayambade has turned his farm into a beacon of hope for his community. His use of the shadoof exemplifies how traditional knowledge can be adapted to address modern problems. He urges fellow farmers to embrace sustainable practices and shift their perceptions about what is possible.
“Climate change is real, but we can fight it. We just need to change the way we think and use the resources available to us,” he concludes.
