Apac gets sh2b for NAADS projects
Jun 07, 2009
THE finance ministry has earmarked about sh1.8b for National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) activities in Apac district for the next financial year.
By Patrick Opio
THE finance ministry has earmarked about sh1.8b for National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) activities in Apac district for the next financial year.
Addressing a NAADS stakeholders meeting at the Women’s Development Centre recently, the district NAADS coordinator, George Ojok, said over sh1b was released for the implementation of the programme in the district in this financial year that ends on June 30.
“The people of Uganda must be grateful to the initiators of the programme to fight against household poverty and enhancing food security in most areas,†Ojok said.
He added that a total of 1,875 groups were supported out of the 1,908 farmers who registered with NAADS.
He advised the sub-county officials to declare resources under the programme to the public for transparency.
The support to the six model farmers per parish, Ojok said, would cost sh33m, while technology development and support to food security for lead and demonstration farmers would cost sh46m.
However, Ojok said the limited funding of the programme and changing weather pattrens that had affected crop productivity were loopholes to the programme’s implementation in the area.
He warned the procurement committees in some sub-counties against accepting bribes because they would be prosecuted.
The Ibuje sub-county chief, Nixson Adupa, said managing the overwhelming demand from potential beneficiaries was strenuous due to inadequate resources.
“Some leaders recklessly announce during public rallies that the NAADS money is enough for everybody in the area.
“This is more so for political gains, forcing the enthusiastic farmers to throng sub-county offices demanding the inputs, which are not enough for all of them,†Adupa noted.
THE finance ministry has earmarked about sh1.8b for National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) activities in Apac district for the next financial year.
Addressing a NAADS stakeholders meeting at the Women’s Development Centre recently, the district NAADS coordinator, George Ojok, said over sh1b was released for the implementation of the programme in the district in this financial year that ends on June 30.
“The people of Uganda must be grateful to the initiators of the programme to fight against household poverty and enhancing food security in most areas,†Ojok said.
He added that a total of 1,875 groups were supported out of the 1,908 farmers who registered with NAADS.
He advised the sub-county officials to declare resources under the programme to the public for transparency.
The support to the six model farmers per parish, Ojok said, would cost sh33m, while technology development and support to food security for lead and demonstration farmers would cost sh46m.
However, Ojok said the limited funding of the programme and changing weather pattrens that had affected crop productivity were loopholes to the programme’s implementation in the area.
He warned the procurement committees in some sub-counties against accepting bribes because they would be prosecuted.
The Ibuje sub-county chief, Nixson Adupa, said managing the overwhelming demand from potential beneficiaries was strenuous due to inadequate resources.
“Some leaders recklessly announce during public rallies that the NAADS money is enough for everybody in the area.
“This is more so for political gains, forcing the enthusiastic farmers to throng sub-county offices demanding the inputs, which are not enough for all of them,†Adupa noted.