Pader farmers receive ox-ploughs to boost agriculture

Some farmers said they will increase their farming acreage with the donation.

By Okot Lil Romeo

Pader – March 5, 2022: A total of 180 farmers in Pajule and Paiwura sub-counties in Pader district have received 180 ox-ploughs to boost agriculture in the fight to alleviate poverty.

The farmer-led organisation, Countryside Harvester operating in northern Uganda gave support to selected farmers.

The aim is to invest in agriculture to boost the livelihoods of the local community in the district.

The support is part of a 5-year project period at shs 5 billion. The project covers agriculture, poultry keeping, dairy farming, among others.

At least 25,000 farmers from Acholi, Lango and West Nile sub-regions are targeted to benefit.

Francis Okello, project officer of Countryside Harvester confirmed that the cost of 180 ox-ploughs was shs36 million.

Okello added that the project started in Gulu and that other districts benefited three times last year. Farmers were given dairy cows, goats and pigs.

He noted that out of 276 farmers registered, 180 received support on the first day while the total enrollment of farmers in Acholi sub-region stands at 1,087. So far, 317 have benefited.

Geoffrey Ongaba, GISO of Pajule sub-county said the donation is “first of its kind”. He appealed to farmers to let this intervention transform their lives.

Agnes Alum, resident of Amoko Lagwai in Paiwura sub-county said she is going to start farming on a large number of acres from the current 4 acres to 10 acres per year.

Galdino Okeny, another beneficiary from Lamii North said he used to plant 23 acres per year. He appealed to Countryside Harvester to look for good markets.

“We are going to use ox-ploughs to change from living in grass-thatched houses to permanent buildings,” he said joyfully.

George William Anywar, LCIII chairperson of Paiwura sub-county said the two sub-counties have no storage for keeping their produce.

He added that there are poor roads hindering farmers to reach markets, appealing to local and the central government to construct and maintain the rural roads to support farmers’ access to good markets.