Hudson Apunyo
10 July 2009
Kampala — Mukwano Group in partnership with Livelihoods and Enterprises for Agricultural Development (LEAD), a USAID funded project is to spend Shs3.8b to improve the livelihood of the returning IDPs in Northern Uganda.
Johan Lorenzen, LEAD communication officer said in a statement that as Northern Uganda emerges from decades of conflict and internally displaced persons (IDPs) return to their homes, there is an opportunity to establish a permanent peace by establishing food security and increasing incomes.
Mr Lorenzen said to address the situation, LEAD has partnered with Mukwano Group to increase sunflower seed and maize production. "Having already increased sunflower seed production from 5,000 metric tons to 40,000 metric tons from 2004 to today through USAID funding, Mukwano seeks to increase production to 50,000 metric tons over 12 months while also increasing maize production." Mr Lorenzen said.
The two partners are training 36,400 farmers in Masindi, Oyam, Lira, Apac, Dokolo, Kaberamaido, Amolatar, Amuru, Pader, and Kitgum districts on the Farmer Field School (FFS) methodology.
FFS builds farmers' capacity by training them in pre-planting, Agro-Eco System Analysis/integrated pest management, and post-harvest handling and storage. Susan Corning, the chief of party LEAD said LEAD is a 5 year, $35 million project that is promoting livelihoods in the agriculture sector to improve rural growth. "We seek to improve income for over 600,000 households by the end of the project in 2013, and our focus is on small holder producers," Ms Susan Corning said.
A number of farmers who are engaged in growing the improved Mukwano Pana 7351 sunflower variety from South Africa say it is drought resistance and gives high yield. "LEAD aims to increase agricultural productivity, trade capacity and competitiveness through effective public-partnerships with Ugandan and international non-governmental organizations, business service providers, and agri-businesses such as Mukwano Group," Mr Lorenzen said.
Moses Oundo, a social worker with Aculawic Child Development Centre in Agwata, Dokolo district said he was persuaded to grow sunflower to supplement his salary. "I don't regret growing Pana 7351 sunflower variety. Even with the long drought, I am sure to get something because the crop is drought resistant and mature within 90 days only," he said. Farm gate price for a kilogramme of dry sunflower seed offered by Mukwano Group is UShs450. Mukwano contracted farmers are assured of a ready market.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
