Smallholder farmers happy with MV Mulimi

Smallholder farmers across the country have expressed optimism following the unveiling of the prototype tractor code-named MV Mulimi at Makerere Research Institute, Kabanyolo.

At the MV Mulimi unveiling ceremony, Chairman Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) General (Rtd) Salim Saleh said the Makerere innovation is a timely invention which should kick start commercialization of agriculture.

Salim Saleh test-driving the MV Mulimi prototype tractor at Makerere University Research Institute, Kabanyolo. Photo By Oyet Okwera

Saleh advised the farming fraternity to take advantage of the innovation and plan accordingly to expand their agricultural operations across the country.

Meanwhile, at the commissioning of the tractor, farmers represented by a group from Nakaseke district expressed greater optimism and were convinced that the innovation will positively impact on agriculture.

The Ambassador of the people's republic of China, Zhao Yali advised the farmers to form stronger groups and work with one strong objective. Yali pledged China's contribution to the sector and said his government will help Uganda transform her agricultural sector.    

Makerere University vice chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu noted that maize is a very important food crop for both humans and animals.

He said that threshing of maize in a hygienic and less intensive manner is good for the farmer and he hopes that this will increase maize production.

What can MV Mulimi do?

The tractor has the capacity to carry one and half tones of agricultural produce. It can be used in ploughing, maize threshing, pumping water and mobile phone charging.

Lydia Nakafeero, a farmer in Nakaseke said Uganda requires its own technology to aid in more commercialization of agriculture.

Nakafeero observed that the Makerere MV Mulimi innovation is the type of invention Uganda requires to indulge more in agricultural productivity.

Her comment comes at a time President Yoweri Museveni during his campaign trails said over shs 1 trillion will be injected under operation wealth creation across the country.

The MV Mulimi tractor project is also being sponsored through the Presidential Initiatives for Science and Technology.

According to Peter Nyangu a farmer in Luwero, the MV Mulimi underscores the potential Uganda has in terms of innovation given support from Central government.

Nyangu urged all agricultural stakeholders to work in stronger solidarity and strive in achieving more productivity.

"Let us all strengthen our effort and strive towards ensuring that we address all the issues our farmers grapple with," said Nyangu.