Farmer's competition gains momentum

By Vision reporter
The national farmer’s competition, an initiative of various stakeholders in agriculture has entered its third week. The National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) launched the competitions last month to reward the best-performers in livestock and crop husbandry.

The initiative, that is implemented through a public-private partnership arrangement targets 560 farmers in all districts, 45 at a regional level, while nine farmers will be selected at the national level.

The overall winner will receive a brand new tractor worth sh45m. The first runner-up will be supported with a full kit of irrigation equipment worth sh20m, while the second runner-up will be rewarded with a set of agricultural inputs.

The best farmer from each of the nine zones will each get $10,000 (sh25m), while the best two extension staff from the entire winning districts will be rewarded with laptops.

Other sponsors include Dynapharm, a company that deals in organic fertilisers among its numerous products and Fica Seeds, which deals in certified seeds. The competitions have also attracted funding from Lucky Group, a company that deals in irrigation and farm equipment and Future Group, which deals in farm machinery.

The agriculture minister, Tress Bucyanayandi, applauded the brains behind the competition, saying they were in the country’s overall plan of boosting food security and household incomes among the rural poor. How to participate Every Tuesday, New Vision carries an entry coupon in the Harvest Money pull-out.

A similar coupon is carried by Bukedde newspaper on Monday. All one has to do is to cut out the coupon, fi ll it in and return to either New Vision offi ces anywhere in Uganda, NAADS offices across the country or to the regional agriculture research centres. 

In addition, entry/nomination forms can be picked from the various NAADS offi ces, fi lled and returned there. Nominations can also be done through SMS, by typing NAADS (leave space), name of farmer and telephone contact and district, and send to 8338.

Participation is open to groups and individuals through the sub-county farmers’ forum. All those who want to participate shall apply in writing to the district steering committee, indicating what they will demonstrate for the competitions.

The district steering committee will be responsible for capturing all the details of the applicants.

Criteria for participation
Groups which apply to participate can qualify if they are registered with their respective sub-counties, according to NAADS guidelines. Individuals who apply to participate will be required to prove their membership to a registered group through recommendation by the chairperson of the group and one other member of the executive committee.

Selected nominees will be announced in August and thereafter, their farms will be visited by the organisers. Their profiles will also be published in the Vision Group platforms.

Winners will be awarded early next year.