The policy objective with regard to water for production is to promote development of water supply for agricultural production in order to modernize agriculture
and mitigate effects of climatic variations on rain-fed agriculture through:
• Promoting proper water resource assessment and planning for agricultural
production;
• Increasing the capacity of farmers to access and use water for crop, fisheries and
livestock production; and
• Promoting appropriate water harvesting technologies for irrigation and livestock
development.
The National policy for the Conservation and Management of Wetland
Resources, 1995 compliments the goals and objectives of the National Environment
Management Policy (NEMP), 1995. The overall goal of the policy is to maintain an
optimum diversity of uses and users and consideration for other stakeholders when
using the wetland.
The objectives include:
• Establishing the principles by which wetland resources can be optimally used
now and in the future;
• Ending practices which reduce wetland productivity;
• Maintaining the biological diversity of natural or semi-natural wetlands;
• Maintaining wetland functions and values; and
• Integrating wetland concerns into the planning and decision making of other
sectors.
In relation to agriculture, the relevance of the policy is premised on the need to
protect wetland systems, maintenance of biodiversity and the environmental impact
assessment requirement for all proposed projects in wetland areas. The major
weakness of the policy is that it emphasizes the role of the central government and
local government in the management of wetlands and omits that of individuals,
private sector and communities.
As a person investing in water for agriculture, it is incumbent on such an investor
to ensure that activities such as installation of irrigation machinery do not in any way
affect the environment but rather practice best practices that are environmentally
friendly. In case any of such activities are likely to negatively impact on the
environment, investors are enjoined to see to it that they require the necessary
permits under the National Environment Act and the regulations thereunder.
Where the required permits as earlier discussed are not obtained, then soil quality
shall deteriorate, and as such the government and stake holders and the law put in
place shall have failed to properly govern soil use.
72
E. Kasimbazi
and mitigate effects of climatic variations on rain-fed agriculture through:
• Promoting proper water resource assessment and planning for agricultural
production;
• Increasing the capacity of farmers to access and use water for crop, fisheries and
livestock production; and
• Promoting appropriate water harvesting technologies for irrigation and livestock
development.
The National policy for the Conservation and Management of Wetland
Resources, 1995 compliments the goals and objectives of the National Environment
Management Policy (NEMP), 1995. The overall goal of the policy is to maintain an
optimum diversity of uses and users and consideration for other stakeholders when
using the wetland.
The objectives include:
• Establishing the principles by which wetland resources can be optimally used
now and in the future;
• Ending practices which reduce wetland productivity;
• Maintaining the biological diversity of natural or semi-natural wetlands;
• Maintaining wetland functions and values; and
• Integrating wetland concerns into the planning and decision making of other
sectors.
In relation to agriculture, the relevance of the policy is premised on the need to
protect wetland systems, maintenance of biodiversity and the environmental impact
assessment requirement for all proposed projects in wetland areas. The major
weakness of the policy is that it emphasizes the role of the central government and
local government in the management of wetlands and omits that of individuals,
private sector and communities.
As a person investing in water for agriculture, it is incumbent on such an investor
to ensure that activities such as installation of irrigation machinery do not in any way
affect the environment but rather practice best practices that are environmentally
friendly. In case any of such activities are likely to negatively impact on the
environment, investors are enjoined to see to it that they require the necessary
permits under the National Environment Act and the regulations thereunder.
Where the required permits as earlier discussed are not obtained, then soil quality
shall deteriorate, and as such the government and stake holders and the law put in
place shall have failed to properly govern soil use.
72
E. Kasimbazi