By James Alomu
A total of 8,000 farmers across the Teso sub-region are set to benefit from a new mechanised agriculture initiative spearheaded by Cajila Africa Link Institute, an organisation focused on improving farming practices and linking farmers to reliable markets.
The development was announced during the commissioning of tractors for farmer use in several parts of Teso, including Kapelebyong, Amuria, Ngora, Kumi and Serere districts, among others.
Speaking during the commissioning, Dr. Cosmas Agweta, the Executive Managing Director of Cajila Africa Link Institute, said the organisation had acquired six tractors to support mechanised agriculture in the region. He explained that the move is intended to boost productivity and enable farmers to grow crops such as soya beans, maize, coffee and groundnuts on a larger scale.
Dr. Agweta said the organisation is not only focusing on production but also on helping farmers secure markets for their produce. He revealed that Cajila Africa Link Institute had secured an opportunity to supply 125 metric tonnes of produce to China after signing a Memorandum of Understanding, noting that farmers should no longer worry about market availability.
He added that Teso’s soils are suitable for the growing of various crops, giving the region strong potential to benefit from commercial agriculture if farmers embrace modern farming methods.
According to Dr. Agweta, the tractors were secured through lobbying efforts and support from an international partner, Mr. Aswime Charles, who provided the machines for use over a period of two years. He said farmers who wish to use the tractors will only be required to pay a small fee to cater for maintenance costs.
While commissioning the tractors, Soroti City Assistant Resident City Commissioner Steven Omoding Eupa urged farmers across Teso to make good use of the machines and the opportunity presented by Cajila Africa Link Institute. He said the assurance of a market for crops such as soya beans should encourage farmers to embrace mechanised and commercial agriculture.
Eupa noted that the initiative is in line with President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing message encouraging Ugandans to shift from subsistence farming to commercialised agriculture as a way of improving household incomes and transforming communities.
The tractor project is expected to ease the burden of manual farming, improve efficiency and open new economic opportunities for thousands of farmers across the Teso sub-region.
