By Brian Atuhura
In abid to boost irrigation in Masindi, government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF),has set aside shs 560 million for individual farmers in Masindi district to purchase and use Micro-Scale irrigation equipments at alow price.
This is being done through the Micro-Scale irrigation program led by MAAIF and run by the Local Governments which is part of Uganda's National Irrigation policy, which aims at creating more irrigated land by the year 2040.
According to Edidah Kamulegeya,the Program's Focal point person,the program aims to support individual farmers to purchase and use Micro-Scale irrigation equipments so as to improve their livelihoods.
She adds that,the money was provided this financial year for the irrigation equipments.
Kamulegeya said,the program is through co-funding as government supports farmers with 75% while the individual farmers contribute 25% of the irrigation equipments.
Leaders in Masindi,organized the meeting on Tuesday to enable small holder farmers meet financial institutions and equipment suppliers that was held at the district headquarters.
Speaking at the same meeting,the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (PACAO)Musa Kyamiza,implored farmers who are to benefit from the irrigation equipments to use them well inorder to produce more for the market so as household income is increased.
On his part,the Secretary for Production Geoffrey Kiiza Bigabwa who represented the District Chairperson at the meeting, encouraged the farmers to expedite the payment process through utilizing the services of Financial institutions and acquire quick loans such that they don't miss out on the machinery.
Out of the 25 farmers required by government to co-fund,only 9 had already cleared thier payments and ready for equipment installation.
Speaking as he closed the engagement,the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Masindi, Emmy Ngabirano called upon farmers to establish the four acre model in all Parishes to increase their sources of income.
He also appealed to them to get affordable loans from commercial banks instead of using credit financial institutions.