Museveni vows to stop NAADS tendering system
Jul 22, 2010
<br>The award of tenders to supply inputs to farmers under the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme will be stopped to enable beneficiaries procure them at cheaper prices, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
By Abdulkarim Ssengendo
The award of tenders to supply inputs to farmers under the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme will be stopped to enable beneficiaries procure them at cheaper prices, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
Museveni said the tendering system was not cost-effective because the inputs are bought at high prices due to costs involved, including taxes.
“We started NAADS to make poor Ugandans rich, but they are supplied inputs at high prices which they cannot afford. I am going to stop the system such that farmers can buy inputs for themselves,†Museveni said.
Under the current system, districts have been advertising for tenders after which the procurement committees select best bidders to supply inputs.
The President said the money for NAADS will be disbursed directly to farmers in organised groups.
“These farmers only lack the money, but they can buy the farm inputs from their villages,†he said.
Museveni was speaking during a tour of Ibanda district to promote the Prosperity-for All programme. He visited Protaz Washaba, a model farmer, who earns sh7m a year from his enterprises.
Museveni gave Washaba sh5m and a lorry to Bisheshe Coffee Processors Association. He also promised to get the association a big electricity transformer.
Other pledges included sh20m to Ibanda Boda Boda SACCO, sh5m to Nyabuhikye and Igorora SACCOS and sh20m for the rehabilitation of Ibanda Church of Uganda.
Museveni commissioned the sh2.8b Mukazi Anyara Water Project and the sh246m Ibanda district administration block.
Museveni urged residents to diversify their enterprises and practice intensive farming.
The award of tenders to supply inputs to farmers under the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme will be stopped to enable beneficiaries procure them at cheaper prices, President Yoweri Museveni has said.
Museveni said the tendering system was not cost-effective because the inputs are bought at high prices due to costs involved, including taxes.
“We started NAADS to make poor Ugandans rich, but they are supplied inputs at high prices which they cannot afford. I am going to stop the system such that farmers can buy inputs for themselves,†Museveni said.
Under the current system, districts have been advertising for tenders after which the procurement committees select best bidders to supply inputs.
The President said the money for NAADS will be disbursed directly to farmers in organised groups.
“These farmers only lack the money, but they can buy the farm inputs from their villages,†he said.
Museveni was speaking during a tour of Ibanda district to promote the Prosperity-for All programme. He visited Protaz Washaba, a model farmer, who earns sh7m a year from his enterprises.
Museveni gave Washaba sh5m and a lorry to Bisheshe Coffee Processors Association. He also promised to get the association a big electricity transformer.
Other pledges included sh20m to Ibanda Boda Boda SACCO, sh5m to Nyabuhikye and Igorora SACCOS and sh20m for the rehabilitation of Ibanda Church of Uganda.
Museveni commissioned the sh2.8b Mukazi Anyara Water Project and the sh246m Ibanda district administration block.
Museveni urged residents to diversify their enterprises and practice intensive farming.