West Nile farmers get skills in rice growing

(Credit: Umar Nsubuga)

AGRIBUSINESS

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), have embarked on training farmers in Namulonge on better ways of growing rice.

Paul Lubega, JICA's programme officer for rural/agriculture development, said the training is intended to empower farmers to take up agriculture as a business.

According to Lubega, the organisation has hundreds of members from West Nile engaged in rice growing and multiplication.

"There are improved rice varieties that are tolerant to pests and resistant to diseases. The use of modern technologies will complement efforts to boost yields and also meet the market demand," he said.

Ready market

Meanwhile, JICA representative Miyaguchi Kazutoshi, told farmers during the three-day training held at Namulonge Research Institute that there is ready market for rice.

On his part, Anguzu Naphtal , technical assistant of Promotion of Rice Development (PRiDe) was the main trainer. He urged the farmers to venture into commercialisation of rice since it has a lot of business.

Muzasha Biringanine, one of the participants, said that the training was timely because it will help them put the skills learned into practice in the all of West Nile.

The three-day training in pictures . . .

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