Acholi cooperators tipped on climate smart agriculture
Cooperators in the Acholi sub-region have been advised to embark on climate smart agriculture that is geared towards protecting the environment.
The advice comes at a time when many farmers are crying out, having lost whatever they planted in the first season, something that has paused threats to the farming community, whose livelihood is dependent largely on agriculture.
Speaking to cooperators, Morrish Opio, Programme Officer Climate Smart Agriculture at the farmer’s collection centre in Pader, said if the cooperators are to realise the best production environment should be considered first.
“Farming being the most activity among the cooperators, environment protection is key. Before cutting a tree, one should first carry out any assessment and if need be make sure several others are planted,’’ he said.
Opio said at the moment they are engaging local governments to embrace Climate Smart agriculture.
Nancy Akanyo, a resident of Ogom sub-county in Pader and a dealer in vegetable growing, said one can still reap big without destroying the environment.
“I have been growing this for decades now but in all my gardens, there is nothing like environmental destruction,’’ she said.
She accused commercial farmers — who open up larger chunks of land at a time – of destroying not only vegetation but also habitats for wildlife.
The District Agricultural Officer Pader, Seydo Opoka Adoratona, said with climate smart agriculture, they are advocating for integrated pest and disease control management among the farming communities.
