Opinion: Why the public, tea farmers have to embrace Parish Development Model

Tea’s average export is quoted at 65,000 metric tons annually and I am optimistic these figures could surge…

Kampala – January 6, 2022: Happy New Year to all Ugandans and tea [farmers] across the country.

Like EFOTI said in its New Year message to Ugandans late last year, we are hopeful 2022 will be a year of huge harvests and great opportunities amidst greater threats by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before and after Covid-19 came, farmers or the agriculture sector remain a strong pillar in sustaining the economy, feeding the nation and bringing incomes to our pockets.

Through farming, the majority of us can pay school fees and tuitions for our children, meet medical bills and take care of other daily needs.

Responsible government ministries [and their agencies and departments] have been committed to empowering farmers across the country so does private players. Farmers have received seedlings like coffee, tea, and maize among others to undertake commercial agriculture.

As a specialist in tea, EFOTI and different government ministries and stakeholders have worked with communities to popularize and commercialize tea growing.

Our tea journey started from Kamwenge and Mitooma districts in Western Uganda and is now positively embraced in Northern Uganda’s districts of Zombo, Gulu, Nwoya, Amuru, Adjumani. Several districts in the Lango sub-region are to be engaged from this year.

Tea, like any other cash crop, has proved to be Uganda’s export earner. Tea’s average export is quoted at 65,000 metric tons annually and I am optimistic these figures could surge with the introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM).

PDM, according to the government is a conduit through which household incomes and the quality of life of Ugandans can further be improved with a specific focus on the total transformation of the subsistence households into the monetized economy, as well as eradication of poverty and vulnerability in Uganda.

Tea farmer groups can now get themselves encouraged that PDM is coming for them. What is important for them is to stay focused, choose a viable enterprise like tea and give it much concentration.

Everybody, not only farmers should think beyond and utilize this opportunity which will automatically improve the livelihoods of those willing to come out of poverty.

For those who have already planted tea and coffee will automatically go for value addition, those who want to plant should think of establishing nursery beds to increase production.

Those who have no idea will share the money and pay school fees or even buy drinks and remain the same. This is the right time to support local companies and organizations who are already on the ground doing something developmental.

PDM, to me, will solve the problem. Some people who think that development is one-sided should wake up and utilize this opportunity. The blame game has to stop.

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You can imagine some people have not even thought of how to use this opportunity while others are dying with ideas that can support the communities.

Government should also think of supporting local investors like EFOTI because, at the end of the day we all benefit otherwise we have seen how the president has struggled to support communities through Entandikwa, NAADs, OWC, among others, and their mindset of the beneficiaries are still unchanged.

As I conclude, I want to applaud NAADS and its Executive Director; OWC, NUSAF 3, Ministry of Trade, Office of the Prime Minister and Office of the Minister of State for Northern Uganda; His Highness the King of Alur and his entire subjects; the Rwot Achana of Acholi and his entire subjects for the support rendered to EFOTI over the years; and tea farmers in West Nile and Acholi sub-regions, respectively.

***His Highness Philip Olaker Rauni III – The King of Alur Kingdom shows packets of Zombo Royal Tea*** *processed and packed by EFOTI Limited* ***during his 9th Coronation Anniversary on 26th October 2019. Next to him [L] is foundation director Edwin Atukunda Beekunda. File photo.***

I also want to convey big thanks to Gulu University for partnering with us, Muni University for embracing the initiative, Uganda Prisons Service for allowing us to use its farms in some parts of the country.

Again, to all the tea farmers and farmers’ groups and associations in West Nile and Acholi sub-region, this is the time for us and a year for us to feed the nation. Let’s all embrace PDM and change our lives.

The writer is the Founder and Director of EFOTI, a private company promoting and adding value to tea in Northern Uganda.