MPs want govt to retain NAADS
MPS have asked the Government not to end the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme, but to review its operations with a view of modifying it,
MPS have asked the Government not to end the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme, but to review its operations with a view of modifying it, reports Cyprian Musoke and John Odyek.
Debating a report of the committee of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries on NAADS on Tuesday, the MPs were overwhelmingly in favour of the programme.
They argued that it was the only Government programme that had reached the grass-root farmers.
MPs argued that although there were several shortcomings, a Government review should be carried out.
President Yoweri Museveni last week ordered the suspension of the programme after it was found that officials were misusing the money.
He noted that the Government released sh48b last financial year and over sh60b this financial year for the programme, but there was nothing to show for it.
The MPs blamed dishonesty of those who supply seedlings and animals at inflated costs, saying they were the main saboteurs of NAADS.
“Much of the money that would have ended up with target farmer groups ends up in service providers’ pockets. More funding should go to the districts and sub-counties,†said Francis Epetait (Ngora).
MPs criticised the absence of a substantive agriculture minister in the House at the time of presenting the report, complaining that the Government did not take the agricultural sector seriously.
When there was a crisis with cotton in the country, the agriculture minister, Hilary Onek, asked a junior minister to stand in for him to answer their concerns, they said.
“As of now, we don’t even know whether NAADS still exists as a Government programme,†Opposition chief whip Kassiano Wadri wondered.
Presidency minister Beatrice Wabudeya explained that the President had only expressed his displeasure about the way NAADS was operating, but did not wish to abandon it.
Debating a report of the committee of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries on NAADS on Tuesday, the MPs were overwhelmingly in favour of the programme.
They argued that it was the only Government programme that had reached the grass-root farmers.
MPs argued that although there were several shortcomings, a Government review should be carried out.
President Yoweri Museveni last week ordered the suspension of the programme after it was found that officials were misusing the money.
He noted that the Government released sh48b last financial year and over sh60b this financial year for the programme, but there was nothing to show for it.
The MPs blamed dishonesty of those who supply seedlings and animals at inflated costs, saying they were the main saboteurs of NAADS.
“Much of the money that would have ended up with target farmer groups ends up in service providers’ pockets. More funding should go to the districts and sub-counties,†said Francis Epetait (Ngora).
MPs criticised the absence of a substantive agriculture minister in the House at the time of presenting the report, complaining that the Government did not take the agricultural sector seriously.
When there was a crisis with cotton in the country, the agriculture minister, Hilary Onek, asked a junior minister to stand in for him to answer their concerns, they said.
“As of now, we don’t even know whether NAADS still exists as a Government programme,†Opposition chief whip Kassiano Wadri wondered.
Presidency minister Beatrice Wabudeya explained that the President had only expressed his displeasure about the way NAADS was operating, but did not wish to abandon it.