Farmers get tractors
Jan 28, 2009
THE micro-finance state minister, Gen. Salim Saleh, has given out 10 tractors to support farmers in Mukono, Luweero, Kayunga and Nakaseke districts under the prosperity-for-all (Bonna bagaggawale) programme.
By Francis Kagolo
THE micro-finance state minister, Gen. Salim Saleh, has given out 10 tractors to support farmers in Mukono, Luweero, Kayunga and Nakaseke districts under the prosperity-for-all (Bonna bagaggawale) programme.
The tractors, worth sh53m each, were assembled at the army firm, National Enterprise Corporation with funding from the Microfinance Support Centre.
They were given to the East Mengo Growers’ Cooperative Union (EMGCU) under a three-year low-interest loan.
EMGCU brings together 280 societies, supporting over 56,000 farmers in the four districts. Saleh handed over the tractors to the EMGCU officials on Monday at the Lugazi town cultural centre grounds during a function that also doubled as Mukono district’s NRM 23rd anniversary celebrations.
He said more tractors would be given to farmers in other areas as the implementation of the Bonna bagaggawale programme progresses.
The move, Saleh explained, was aimed at helping farmers use mechanisation to boost productivity to curb food insecurity and rural household poverty.
“For farmers to increase production, they need tractors, improved seeds and advisory services,†he said.
“Once production has improved, we shall work on the processing and marketing of the products and encourage them to save their money with the SACCOS.â€
The ministry is also to give out start-up loans of sh10m to each of over 750 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOS) across the country.
THE micro-finance state minister, Gen. Salim Saleh, has given out 10 tractors to support farmers in Mukono, Luweero, Kayunga and Nakaseke districts under the prosperity-for-all (Bonna bagaggawale) programme.
The tractors, worth sh53m each, were assembled at the army firm, National Enterprise Corporation with funding from the Microfinance Support Centre.
They were given to the East Mengo Growers’ Cooperative Union (EMGCU) under a three-year low-interest loan.
EMGCU brings together 280 societies, supporting over 56,000 farmers in the four districts. Saleh handed over the tractors to the EMGCU officials on Monday at the Lugazi town cultural centre grounds during a function that also doubled as Mukono district’s NRM 23rd anniversary celebrations.
He said more tractors would be given to farmers in other areas as the implementation of the Bonna bagaggawale programme progresses.
The move, Saleh explained, was aimed at helping farmers use mechanisation to boost productivity to curb food insecurity and rural household poverty.
“For farmers to increase production, they need tractors, improved seeds and advisory services,†he said.
“Once production has improved, we shall work on the processing and marketing of the products and encourage them to save their money with the SACCOS.â€
The ministry is also to give out start-up loans of sh10m to each of over 750 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOS) across the country.