FAO boosts farmers with agric equipment

Jun 25, 2015

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has advised farmers to mechanize to increase rice production in Acholi and Lango sub regions

By Patrick Okino

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has advised farmers to mechanize to increase rice production in Acholi and Lango sub regions.


"Farmers have discovered it is easier to use a power-tiller than an ox-plough because you can operate it anytime.  When a bull falls sick it takes sometime without ploughing," Moses Oremo said.  

Oremo, FAO's project manager Lira office, was on Wednesday addressing journalists. Recently FAO distributed six power-tillers to farmers' cooperatives in Lango and Acholi to boost production.     

Last year, according to Oremo, Ayami farmers group harvested 200 tons of rice while Ayer farmers' cooperative harvested 300 tons.



Farmers in Bar sub county in Lira district testing the motorized rice thresher given by FAO. PHOTO/Patrick Okino

"We expect the production to go up since we have given them power-tillers and motorized rice threshers," he added.

FAO gave to farmers in Lango and Acholi 12 motorized rice threshers, tarpaulins, weighing scales, moisture meters, fish nets, wheelbarrows, agricultural limes, pipes, hoes and spades.

With a power-tiller a famer can plough an acre a day while an oxen takes three days or more, according to Oremo.

"In an acre you can harvest between eight to thirteen bags," Oremo explained, adding that with a motorized rice thresher the quality of rice will improve and get better market.

Additional procurements worth US$24,900 (sh1.48b) targeting assortment of equipment are underway.

"There is increase in yield and the production will go up to 500 tons for each group of farmers at the end of the season," Oremo said.    


 

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