Kampala — FARMERS in Mukono have received sh400m under the Bonna bagaggawale (prosperity-for-all) scheme.

The money, meant to boost agricultural production, has been disbursed to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).

According to Alice Nyanzi, the NAADS coordinator, the money will benefit, lead and model farmers in the 24 sub-counties of the district.

"Demonstration gardens will be started in two schools to promote gardening and food security," she said.

The package is part of the sh1.7b released by government to implement Bonna bagaggawale.

Francis Lukooya, Mukono LC5 chairman, said: "Each sub-county will get sh80m. Of this, sh60m will be loaned out to organised farmers' groups."

He said another sh420m would be used to buy four artificial insemination machines de-wormers, mineral lick, acarisides and bucket spray pumps for cattle farmers.

Following widespread disenchantment over its failure to transform the face of farming in Uganda, the Government, in 2007, restructured NAADS.

While its core purpose was to provide farmers advisory services, the organisation was criticised for only erecting signposts to show their presence countrywide.

NAADS procurement was allegedly abused by national and district managers and politicians.

Under the new structure, farmers will be incharge of the procurement of farm inputs and politicians will monitor the implementation.

"The procurement process is now decentralised. All parishes have procurement committees. My role is now to advise them on feasible projects," said Lukooya.