FAO donates equipment to farmers

By Patrick Okino

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has procured farming equipment worth sh1.4b to improve farming practice within cooperative groups in Acholi and Lango sub regions.

The items were given to farmers on Tuesday and others delivered to farmers last week according to Moses Oremo, FAO`s national project manager.

“We have procured 50 seed planters which is part of the consignment we promised to give farmers,” he said while assembling the machines at Lira office.   

Two months ago, FAO`s country representative Alhaji M Jallow disclosed that additional procurement for assortments of farming equipment worth  $24,900 (sh1.4b) was still underway and will be donated to small holder farmers to actively engage in agriculture.

Oremo told journalists that the machines will help farmers to plant maize, beans, soybeans, sunflower, rice and sorghum. Fish hatchery equipment had been given to farmers last week.

The beneficiaries of the hatchery machines and other equipment include Anai fish pond, Ogur, Lira Integrated and Children of Peace.  Those who received planters machine are Alito, Ayer, Ayami, Agweng, Bar and Abutadi.

“We have turned these groups into cooperatives,” Oremo explained. 

“This will build and sustain food security in the region and empower people to have sustainable livelihood,” he added.

He said the equipment reduces the labour required and farmers will plant in rows to ease weeding. 

“We also expect harvest to go up”.