Kampala — TORORO District has received sh274m to boost household farming activities. The money was provided by the National Agricultural Advisory Service to facilitate production of improved varieties of ground nuts and upland rice.

The district NAADS Coordinator James Kalange said farmers are being encouraged to grow improved varieties of upland rice that include Nerica 3 and 10, as they produce high yields.

"Unlike the previous varieties of the grain that didn't thrive , we have realized that Nerica 3 and 10 can produce high yields ranging from 18 to 20 bags of upland rice from a hectare of land. We are encouraging upland rice farmers to use these new varieties," said David Okware, the District Agricultural Officer.

Kalange also noted that farmers are being encouraged to grow serenut, a new variety of ground nuts from Serere Agricultural Research Institute.

He said unlike the ordinary varieties from which a farmer could realise yields of three to four bags per hectare, the serenut variety has proved to be viable as a farmer could reap 17 to 20 bags from a hectare.

"We are optimistic that house hold incomes will rise in rural communities if they adopt the new farming techniques," said Kalange. Melikit, Osukuru, Iyilwa, Nagongera and Paya subcounties will benefit from the funding.