Legislators promised money for rice
Dec 10, 2006
THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has advised MPs to petition the executive through the Prime Minister to source money for rice seeds.
By Josephine Maseruka
THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has advised MPs to petition the executive through the Prime Minister to source money for rice seeds.
February is the next rice planting season.
Bukenya was on Thursday addressing over 60 MPS who attended a seminar on rice growing at the Cabinet library.
He said each MP should identify 30 farmers in every sub-county to be trained in rice growing.
Bukenya said once Ugandans grow rice on a large scale, $90m (about sh165b) spent on rice importation each year would be saved.
Bukenya said if each of the 30 farmers in a sub-county could grow at least three acres of rice, the Government could be able to estimate the yields and market it abroad.
“I assure you our rice has ready market. What is hindering us is that we do not add value to it because farmers are using poorly made millers that crush stones and cow dung together with the rice,†he said.
THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has advised MPs to petition the executive through the Prime Minister to source money for rice seeds.
February is the next rice planting season.
Bukenya was on Thursday addressing over 60 MPS who attended a seminar on rice growing at the Cabinet library.
He said each MP should identify 30 farmers in every sub-county to be trained in rice growing.
Bukenya said once Ugandans grow rice on a large scale, $90m (about sh165b) spent on rice importation each year would be saved.
Bukenya said if each of the 30 farmers in a sub-county could grow at least three acres of rice, the Government could be able to estimate the yields and market it abroad.
“I assure you our rice has ready market. What is hindering us is that we do not add value to it because farmers are using poorly made millers that crush stones and cow dung together with the rice,†he said.