5 November 2009
Kampala — THE Government is to re-consider funding the model farmers in Karamoja whose crops failed to germinate due to drought.
This was revealed by the Karamoja state minister, Janet Museveni, on Wednesday during her on-going inspection of government programmes in Nabilatuk and Lorengedwat sub-counties of Nakapiripirit district.
During various meetings with local authorities, she said the failed harvests due to the harsh climatic conditions should not deter Karamoja from preparing the fields for the next planting season.
A press release from State House quoted the First Lady urging leaders to help the people plan for drought and short rains so that they do not perpetually remain at the mercy of nature.
In Nabilatuk, the sub-county chief, Hilary Topoth, reported that the NAADS programmes had registered some success in spite of the recent drought.
The MP for Pian County, Achia Remegio, said the district lacked enough nurses for its health centres.
Mrs. Museveni also toured Lotuke and Nyakwea sub-counties in Abim district as part of the 42 sub-counties in Karamoja, where she advised the people to utilise their vast lands and better climate to grow food on a large scale and become Karamoja's food basket.
She directed NAADS coordinators to hand over all the remaining inputs to the model farmers who had complained of not receiving all the items.
On education, Achia said the concerned ministry would introduce A-level in January next year because Arengesiep, the only secondary school in the district, only had the O-level section.
Nakapiriprit resident district commissioner, Mr. Andrew Kemm Nappajja, said according to the 2007cattle census, Karamoja region registered 2,300,000 cattle, as the leading region in rearing cattle and goats in the country.
He noted that if farmers concentrated on cattle that are capable of withstanding adverse conditions like drought, the lives of the people would improve.
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