China donates farm machinery worth over Shs 7bln to Butaleja district

BUTALEJA, October 6, 2023 – Butaleja district in Eastern Uganda has received tractors worth over Shs 7 billion from the government of China to boost agricultural mechanisation.

The equipment includes 11 tractors, 11 combine harvesters, three maize threshers, three rice mills, transformers, and standby generators.

Charles Swama, a senior agricultural engineer in Butaleja district said 18 farmers’ groups would benefit from this support, aimed at boosting crop productivity.

Swama, called upon the farmers’ group to always pay for the services of the tractors to enable to enable timely maintenance.

He added that even though the items have been handed over to farmer groups, Butaleja District Local Government will continue monitoring them to make sure that they are properly handled.

While handing over the donated items to farmers at the district headquarters days ago, Michael Higenyi Bory, the district LC5 chairperson, said that the machinery will enable the farmers  to increase crop yields but also significantly cut the time spent on cultivation and harvesting.

“Butaleja district will maintain its position as one of the leading districts in the field of agriculture. We are optimistic that in a period of two years, the poverty rate in the district will greatly decline,” Higenyi said.

The Butaleja Resident District Commissioner, Hajira Namagogwe, called upon the beneficiaries to use the items genuinely so that they improve their livelihoods as well contribute to the development of the country.

She applauded the government of China for the timely donation of the farm equipment.

Some of the beneficiaries from different farmer groups expressed their excitement after receiving the donations. They said that they are ready to use the machinery to improve on their farming activities and also eradicate poverty from their areas.

Most farmers in Butaleja district are involved in subsistence agriculture, growing crops like millet, maize, sweet potatoes, beans, bananas, rice, cotton, ground nuts, cassava, and sorghum with a few people keeping livestock and poultry.

https://thecooperator.news/butaleja-rice-farmers-urged-to-join-saccos/

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