Innovation: Govt to prioritise irrigation
Jul 26, 2011
The Government has commissioned a study on how farmers can be helped to access water to mitigate effects of the ever-changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on agricultural production.
By Frank Mugabi
The Government has commissioned a study on how farmers can be helped to access water to mitigate effects of the ever-changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on agricultural production.
Agriculture minister Tress Buchanayande said a cabinet committee was already conducting the study and the report was expected soon.
“We want to approach this issue in an affordable mode, like individual farmers having reservoirs for storing rain water,†Buchanayande said, adding that details of the forward programme would be divulged once the committee had submitted its findings and recommendations.
He was officiating at the opening of the annual Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show in Jinja town on Wednesday. The show got underway on Monday and was closed on Saturday by President Yoweri Museveni.
Buchanayande disclosed that provision of water for production was part of the agricultural ministry’s development strategy and investment plan that is now being implemented.
He noted that the allocation of sh437b to the agricultural sector in this year’s budget, which was the highest ever in several years, is a sign of commitment from the Government to find a solution to the imminent troubles that could be caused by drought.
The minister observed that with a largely agricultural dependant population and the skyrocketing population growth, Uganda could become one of the countries suffering most from the dry spells currently wreaking havoc on the East African region.
He said about 21 million of the estimated 34 million people in Uganda depend on agriculture.
The president of the Uganda National Farmers Federation, Charles Ogang, said the show, now in its 19 edition, had grown in popularity, attracting exhibitors from Israel, Egypt, Brazil, India, Turkey, Kenya and Tanzania.
He noted that the fare was aimed at accelerating technology adoption in the agricultural sector.
He disclosed that plans were underway to organise agricultural shows at regional and district levels.
Ogang said this year’s theme “Promoting Agricultural Commercialisation to Access the East African Common Market†is meant to emphasise the need for Ugandans to commercialise agriculture if they are to benefit from the widened regional market.
He, however, lamented the declining soil fertility caused by poor methods of farming, especially in the eastern parts of the country.
Ogang said high prices had also hindered most smallholder farmers from accessing technologies like improved seeds, stocking materials, agro-chemicals and fertilisers to enhance productivity.
The long distances to points where these technologies are available is also a point of concern, he added.
Ogang reiterated the cry against fake inputs that are frustrating farmers and discouraging technology adoption.
He said to date, few farmers are accessing credit from financial institutions because of high interest rates.
Ogang citicised the ineffective agricultural advisory services, saying they were responsible for the low technological adoption rate.
He counselled that packing should be done in smaller quantities that farmers can afford, other than the 50kg packs that cost over sh120,000.
He urged the Government to support individual farmers as well as groups that are eager to procure tractors to enhance commercialisation.
The Government has commissioned a study on how farmers can be helped to access water to mitigate effects of the ever-changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on agricultural production.
Agriculture minister Tress Buchanayande said a cabinet committee was already conducting the study and the report was expected soon.
“We want to approach this issue in an affordable mode, like individual farmers having reservoirs for storing rain water,†Buchanayande said, adding that details of the forward programme would be divulged once the committee had submitted its findings and recommendations.
He was officiating at the opening of the annual Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show in Jinja town on Wednesday. The show got underway on Monday and was closed on Saturday by President Yoweri Museveni.
Buchanayande disclosed that provision of water for production was part of the agricultural ministry’s development strategy and investment plan that is now being implemented.
He noted that the allocation of sh437b to the agricultural sector in this year’s budget, which was the highest ever in several years, is a sign of commitment from the Government to find a solution to the imminent troubles that could be caused by drought.
The minister observed that with a largely agricultural dependant population and the skyrocketing population growth, Uganda could become one of the countries suffering most from the dry spells currently wreaking havoc on the East African region.
He said about 21 million of the estimated 34 million people in Uganda depend on agriculture.
The president of the Uganda National Farmers Federation, Charles Ogang, said the show, now in its 19 edition, had grown in popularity, attracting exhibitors from Israel, Egypt, Brazil, India, Turkey, Kenya and Tanzania.
He noted that the fare was aimed at accelerating technology adoption in the agricultural sector.
He disclosed that plans were underway to organise agricultural shows at regional and district levels.
Ogang said this year’s theme “Promoting Agricultural Commercialisation to Access the East African Common Market†is meant to emphasise the need for Ugandans to commercialise agriculture if they are to benefit from the widened regional market.
He, however, lamented the declining soil fertility caused by poor methods of farming, especially in the eastern parts of the country.
Ogang said high prices had also hindered most smallholder farmers from accessing technologies like improved seeds, stocking materials, agro-chemicals and fertilisers to enhance productivity.
The long distances to points where these technologies are available is also a point of concern, he added.
Ogang reiterated the cry against fake inputs that are frustrating farmers and discouraging technology adoption.
He said to date, few farmers are accessing credit from financial institutions because of high interest rates.
Ogang citicised the ineffective agricultural advisory services, saying they were responsible for the low technological adoption rate.
He counselled that packing should be done in smaller quantities that farmers can afford, other than the 50kg packs that cost over sh120,000.
He urged the Government to support individual farmers as well as groups that are eager to procure tractors to enhance commercialisation.