Luwero farmers' production efforts boosted with tractor

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Farmers in the vegetable seed multiplication project based at Bbowa in Luwero district have received farm equipment.

The equipment, which is expected to boost production for the team of 20 selected farmers, was handed over by Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MUZARDI) on January 29, 2025.

The equipment, including a New Holland tractor and ploughs was provided by the Korean government under the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).  

The equipment was handed over to the Luwero district leadership by MUZARDI spokesperson Maria Nampeera Kayabula, who represented the MUZARDI director, who said they will continue monitoring and guiding farmers on the best way to carry on the project.

Maria Nampeera, the MUZARDI spokesperson addressing the media. (Photo by Henry Nsubuga)

She said that the nine-year VegeSeed project, funded by the Korean government, is aimed at ensuring the breeding and establishment of a vegetable system in Uganda focusing on five commodities: Nakati, shallot onion, pumpkin, tomatoes and chilli pepper.

“The National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) is entitled to do the breeding, yet MUZARDI is to do the early generation seed multiplication. MUZARDI will avail foundation seed to farmer groups in Mukono and Luwero districts who will produce certified seeds which will be sold out to farmers across the country,” she said.

Nampeera revealed that additional assistance, including wheelbarrows and spray pumps, will be supplied to the farmers as part of the project and pledged to move together with the project under guidance from Bulemeezi county leadership.

She also noted that the project is intended to boost the financial muscle of the beneficiaries and also address the maximization of vegetable consumption in the communities.

“Vegetables are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fibre, the nutrients which help keep our bodies healthy and prevent illness,” she noted.

As part of the project assistance, the running water system and greenhouses were constructed at Bbowa for the twenty farmers to study and then go to their own fields to produce seeds for multiplication to the entire region and the country in the long run.

Receiving the equipment, the Kabaka’s representative for Bulemeezi, Kangawo Ronald Mulondo, said the local people’s problems are rooted in poverty, and implored the farmers in the selected group to endeavour to sensitise their fellow locals on how to produce the vegetables for more than home consumption but also ensure that they have a surplus for sale to overcome poverty.

Mulondo advised beneficiaries to diversify their production by starting to grow other crops in addition to the specified crops, including pumpkins, onions, tomatoes, chilli and nakati (vegetables). He further guided them to expand their gardens to grow crops like coffee, matooke and others.

District chairperson Elasto  Kibirango expressed optimism that the project is going to flourish, especially given that the district is exposed to a government-supported micro-irrigation scheme.

Kibirango reported that although the micro irrigation scheme funding of close to shillings two billion per financial year was in the first three financial years unutilised and returned to the Treasury as the locals were sceptical about its element of 25 per cent co-funding, the idea has now picked up.

“Farmers have been sensitised and the shillings 2.4 billion provided last year was adequately used,” he said.

Luwero chief administrative officer Henry Musisi said the World Bank-funded micro irrigation scheme is going to be popularised more among the farmers.

District agricultural officer Wilberforce Semigga said although the irrigation scheme has a five-year life span and is expiring after this financial year, chances are high that it will be renewed because its use is just picking momentum amongst farmers.

Ssemigga informed farmers that co-funding for accessing solar-powered irrigation systems is only 25% with the government paying 75%, it is comparatively small considering the benefits if properly used.