By: Ismael Kasooha

KAKUMIRO

The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has distributed tractors to all the districts of Bunyoro sub region to enable farmers improve on production, production and profitability.

“The President promised to mechanize agriculture in the running manifesto of 2021-2026 and this is being fulfilled. Therefore, what we are doing is in fulfillment of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) agenda as promised during elections,” said Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda while handing over the tractors to beneficiaries.

Nabbanja was representing President Yoweri Museveni who was scheduled to hand over the 18 tractors to all districts in Bunyoro sub region when he was launching the Four-Acre model in Kakumiro District on Friday.

The 18 tractors are part of the mechanization machinery, which President Yoweri Museveni launched in December 2022, to be distributed across the country to improve agricultural production and productivity.

“These tractors come in handy after the President flagged off the Four-Acre model in our region. It is now upon us the leaders of the region to guide our farmers to embrace the President’s message of Agricultural Modernization and mechanization,” noted Nabbanja.

PM Robinah Nabbanja addressing people during the launch of the distribution of tractors while Minister Matia Kasaija (on the tractor) looks on

She said that Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, and that it is the people’s responsibility to ensure that it thrives, not just to meet their own needs but to drive Uganda’s journey towards socio-economic Transformation agenda.

The Premier assured the people of Bunyoro that the distribution of tractors is a testament to the commitment of the NRM government to support and modernize agriculture.

“The NRM government under the wise and able leadership of President Yoweri Museveni is here to empower our farmers with the resources they need to increase productivity, improve livelihoods, and build resilience for future generations,” she noted.

Nabbanja explained that Mechanization of Agriculture reduces the burden of manual labor and enables the farmers to cultivate more land with greater efficiency and productivity.

“With these tractors, farmers will be able to expand their reach, increase crop yields, and reduce the physical challenges associated with traditional farming. By shifting to mechanized practices, we are also setting a foundation for better land management and more sustainable agricultural practices, which are essential for the long-term success of farming in our region,” she said.

The Premier said that with increased productivity, farmers will have surplus crops, enhancing food security for both the local community and the nation.

“These tractors are part of a larger strategy to support rural areas, particularly regions like Bunyoro, which play an integral role in our agricultural sector. By equipping our farmers with tools for success, we are not just investing in agriculture, but we are investing in people and the future of Uganda,” said Nabbanja.

She told the farmers that they will be accessing the tractors at a subsidized fee of shs.50,000 per acre of land and cautioned the care takers against over charging the farmers.

“You are holding these tractors in trust for the whole community so you should avoid personalizing them. The farmers should not be overcharged because the government has subsidized the cost,” said Nabbanja.

The Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija assured the farmers that tractors will greatly enhance their productivity because little time will be used in garden preparation as opposed to the rudimentary means of hand hoes.

“A tractor can clear 10 acres in a single day and this helps you to prepare in time and avoid being affected by the ever-changing weather conditions,” said Kasaija.

The government has established regional hubs or Centers where farmers can access tractor services and receive guidance on modern farming techniques.

The farmers in Bunyoro can as well use Bulindi Zonal Agriculture Research and Development Institute (ZARDI) to access some of these services.  These Centers aim to reduce the costs associated with transporting machinery to remote areas.

People’s voices

The Members of Parliament and District LC V chairpersons hailing from Bunyoro thanked President Yoweri Museveni for the tractors which they said was long overdue.

“These are the things the NRM government should have done long time ago, now we want to see serious Agricultural extension services to our people to improve production and productivity,” said the Buyaga West county MP Barnabas Tinkasimire.

“These tractors have come at the right time when the mindset of the people has changed and regarding agriculture as business.   So, we are very optimistic that the tractors will add value to the farmers,” said Stephen Aseera Itaza, the Buhaguzi East Member of Parliament.

Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha, the Buliisa District Woman Representative, said that these tractors are a milestone in helping the farmers to engage in meaningful agriculture other than the rudimentary way of hand-hoe.

“This is real transformation from rudimentary means to modern ways of farming and we request the government to bring more tractors to serve all the people,” said Bigirwa.

Peter Banura, the Kikuube District LC V Chairperson thanked the government for the initiative and prayed that more tractors are provided because the demand for such services in the district is high.

The ceremony was graced by Members of Parliament from Bunyoro sub region, LC V Chairpersons, RDCs among other local leaders.

End