Patson Baraire
23 July 2008
Rukungiri — Following the increased funding by the government to the National Agricultural Advisory Services to cover all the sub-counties in the country, Kigezi region has been allocated Shs4.5 billion for the financial year 2008/2009 making it the biggest beneficiary in the recent past.
The news of the funding was revealed by the Executive Director of Naads, Dr Silim Nahdy, on Saturday during a workshop in Rukungiri where the stakeholders addressed numerous challenges which have affected the implementation of the programme since its inception in 2001.
Dr Nahdy told participants that following the cabinet review of Naads in July last year, several changes following reports of mismanagement have been put in place to ensure that farmers receive value for money. "We are emphasising the selection and support of the demonstration, lead, model, and nucleus farmers at different levels of local government to encourage agricultural commercialisation," Dr Nahdy said.
Dr Nahdy, however, said that there is need for total commitment and support from the political leaders at all levels in mobilising, lobbying and monitoring for Naads so that there is accountability and value for money.
Speaking at the same workshop, the State Minister for Animal Industry, Mr Bright Rwamirama said the main challenges of rural transformation has been the lack of coordination of various initiatives.
The government has come out to address the challenge by introducing a new value chain where production, processing and marketing will be linked so that farmers are not cheated.
"The main goal of 'prosperity for all' is to spur commercial agriculture and industrial production to ensure that households earn a minimum annual income of Shs20m," Mr Rwamirama said.
The National Agricultural Advisory Services is aimed at increasing farmers' access to information, knowledge, and technology in order to realize profitable agricultural production. It is currently being implemented in 100 sub-counties.
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