KWANIA-Leaders of Aduku Sub-county in Kwania district have passed a bylaw to promote cassava growing, saying the crop will help households fight poverty.
Under the new ordinance dubbed “Cassava Ordinance” every household is required to grow at least an acre plantation of cassava or face a fine of Shs 50, 000.
The proposal to enact the bylaw was tabled before the Sub-county council on Monday by Patrick James Alele Lubega, the chairperson of production, marketing and natural resource committee.
Alele said passing of the bylaw is intended to promote food security to fight biting famine in the area.
“Several families were hit so hard by famine and we experienced a lot of insecurity, many women were raped and many died while stealing the little available cassava. We have come with this bylaw to enable this Sub-county to become a cassava growing hub in northern Uganda and eradicate poverty, “he told this reporter.
Vincent Ogwal, the Aduku Sub-county LCIII chairman said the bylaw is aimed at restoring the growing of cassava which was a traditional food crop in Lango.
“Cassava has been a traditional food crop in Lango. Growing cassava will create an impact under the Parish Development Model [PDM] because our people will earn money,” he said.
Patrick Arwai, a resident of Alira parish in Aduku Sub-county has welcomed the bylaw, saying growing cassava will not only fight famine but also improve the livelihoods of the locals.
Tom Omoko, a prominent cassava dealer who sells cassava in Aduku daily market said, “Traders buy an acre of cassava plantation at between Shs 1.8-2 million.”
He added that a sack of raw cassava costs about Shs 70, 000 and he gets between Shs 2.4-3.1mln from an acre of cassava.
Johnson Ojok Ocen, Kwania district production officer said, “We have the capacity to produce beyond demand because we have the land and the manpower. All we need is to rally government to continue supporting our people with improved breeds of cassava cuttings.”
https://thecooperator.news/nebbi-cassava-cooperative-in-need-of-tractor/
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