The Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting Technology: A Game Changer in Climate Adaptation

The three days of training at Bukura ATC were facilitated for 5 local artisans and 6 GEAP technical officers to learn a new technology by the Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP).  The goal was to “witness the butterfly take flight”. The Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting Technology has the potential to transform water conservation and adaptability to climate change, which is why their enthusiasm was contagious. This is in line with GEAP’s mandate to reskill and create jobs for youth in target communities.

The effects of climate change on ecosystems, economies, and people’s ability to make a living are already having an impact on every corner of the globe. In order to adapt to climate change, water harvesting projects are essential because they collect, store, and make optimal use of rainwater and runoff. Yet, these plans need to become actionable solutions if we want to lessen the effects of climate change. Building capacity entails providing information and technologies  to groups and communities to mitigate climate threats  and implement long-term solutions for resilience.

A climate adaptation training program was created by MESPT and Celebrate Hope Ministries (CHM) in response to this demand. A Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting System, a cutting-edge tool for improving water security for sustainable agriculture, was built by a team of young artisans and program employees as a result of the effort.

The Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting System takes its cues from nature and contains a water collection system that is 10ft x 10ft x 8ft. Its durable polyvinyl liner and V-shaped roof structure resemble the butterfly’s wings. During dry seasons, this innovative design can store enough rainwater to irrigate one acre of farmland for three months a total of 30,000 liters.

More than 650 farms in Uganda have benefited from this technique, which was initially developed by CHM, and has allowed farmers to overcome water constraint while increasing output. In order to ensure sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change, the system was developed by specialists in agriculture, environmental science, and rural innovation. It is specifically adapted to meet the demands of small-holder farmers.

This program is in line with the larger initiatives of the Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP), especially its emphasis on sustainable agricultural development. Output 4, one of GEAP’s four main results areas , focuses on green transformation. Out of 5,732 smallholder farmers, 2,413 are men and 3,319 are women; 1,611 are youth. All of them have received training on sustainable agriculture and climate change. Green initiatives have been implemented by 4,286 farmers, including 1,953 men and 2,333 women, 1,186 of them are youths. Some examples of these are solar lights, incubators, pumps, water collecting systems (including tanks), irrigation systems, ponds, fruit fly traps, Black Soldier Fly (BSF) systems, and kitchen gardens. Among these advancements, the Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting Technology stands out as particularly useful and potentially game-changing for smallholder farmers.

Now that this technology has been successfully implemented at the  Bukura ATC, the Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting System is embarking on its next adventure. A future where resilient and sustainable agriculture flourishes, guaranteeing food security, is within reach, one drop at a time, as more and more farmers adopt this approach. The 5 artisans are envisioning establishment of similar projects across 12 counties in the Country.

Steps to building The Butterfly Rainwater Harvesting Technology