ARUA - A section of farmers in the West Nile region have been empowered with technology promotion seeds and value-addition equipment.

The farmers were on Friday excited after they received seed technologies and motorised cassava chippers from Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Abi ZARDI) in Arua City.

The technologies worth sh52m were donated to selected farmers to address the challenge of seed gap to improve yield productivity and production levels in West Nile.

The donated technologies, included six cassava chippers each costing shillings six million, NABE 16 bean variety, NARO bean 1 and 2, Maksoy3N, NAMCHE 5 Rice, VETIVA Grass, 10 Mubende goats and Longe 5D maize.

Before receiving the technologies, the farmers were trained on the use of each technology by experts from AbiZARDI.

While handing over the technologies, Clement Peace Ejua, a research officer at Abi ZARDI who doubles as the programme lead technology promotions and outreach officer, said the above technologies were selected because of their superior attributes.

“In West Nile, we have been having a challenge of seed gap and this intervention was specifically targeted to bridge the challenge of seed gap in the region. We have selected these technologies because of their superior attributes: We have the Mubende goats, which are superior to our local goats because the carcass weight is above 35kg, then the special attribute the skin has for the leather industry and the nature in which it can withstand the harsh weather,” Ejua said.

The motorised cassava chipping machines were given to the farmers. (All Photos by Robert Adiga)

He said the selection of the beneficiaries was supposed to be across the West Nile region but realised that they needed to break the beneficiaries into two with the first lot including the districts of Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach, Arua, Arua City and Maracha among others, while the second lot to be undertaken between July and August will cater for the other districts.

“All the technologies given out cost shillings 52 million and we think if all the seeds given out are put to good use, we project shillings 104 million in the first year and in three years, it will have a multiplier effect of shillings 312 million in the community. We think that if farmers are empowered this way, our technologies will go and address the seed gap, improve the yield productivity and production levels will also improve in the region,” Ejua added.

After receiving a cassava chipper on behalf of 472 members, Frank Onaba, the chairperson of Angal Producers’ Co-operative Society Ltd in Nebbi district, commended AbiZARDI for the effort and support.

He added that last year, the group produced over 60 acres of cassava and is planning to produce close to 80 acres this year.

The Rev. Fr. Robert Ojama, the parish priest of Ajia Catholic parish in Arua district, who also benefitted from the seed technology, expressed gratitude to the Government of Uganda for the intervention, saying it is necessary to always empower the local people.

Agnes Atizuyo, the chairperson of Letasi COVID-19 Women's Group which has transformed into a SACCOS, said they have benefitted a lot from AbiZARDI after they have been providing labour services for their garden for long.

“Most of our members have the local goats and the Mubende breed we have received will help us to improve our breeds. We as a group are also going to buy our own she goats since we now have the male ones available. We expect to use this maximally coupled with the improved variety seeds we have received”, Said Atizuyo

While presiding over the function, Arua Resident City Commissioner Alice Akello warned the farmers against selling the technologies received.