Kikonyogo Ngatya
7 October 2008
Kampala — A British charity, Seeds for Development (SFD), has launched an initiative to provide farmers in Internally Displaced People's Camps (IDPs) in Amuria and Gulu districts with free seeds this planting season.
The farmers will produce beans and soya beans which they will sell to Victoria Seeds, a local partner of SFD at a competitive rate.
Victoria Seeds is a full line company that delivers quality seed to small scale farmers who produce over 90% of agricultural output in the country.
Launching the programme at Olwal Camp in Amuria district, Alison Hall, the SFD cordinator said her organisation was interested in helping IDPS resettle and live normal lives when they return home. "We hope that the project will boost IDP incomes helping them fight poverty and improve their livelihoods," shesaid. Over 150 farmers of Gumpeloke Marketing Group in Parabong Camp and Walegugum group in Olwal will benefit.
"We have partnered with Victoria Seeds to effect the provision of seeds at no cost. This works like microfinance, because we realise IDPs have no collateral against which they can get loans. So we are guaranteeing a ready market, inputs and competitive prices," Alison said. Fertilisers and hoes will also be provided under the initiative.
Josephine Okot the Victoria Seeds managing director, said the programme has been rolled out to the IDPs after its success with over 100 farmers in Gomba country in Mpigi district.
Okot said many farmers' production potential was being held back by lack of good seeds for planting.
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