SOROTI – Thousands of youth from the 11 districts of Teso Sub-region have asked government to provide them with modern agricultural implements like tractors and others to help them increase agricultural output.
The youth from the districts of Amuria, Bukedea, Katakwi, Kapelabyong, Kumi, Soroti, Kaberamaido, Ngora, Kalaki, Serere, and Soroti City gathered in their strides at Soroti Sports Grounds, at the first-ever Teso NRM Youth leaders’ Summit, geared towards further dissemination of the Parish Development Model [PDM].
The summit saw the youth sensitised more about the programme designed to drive 3.5 million households from subsistence farming to the money economy.
At the gathering, the youth also took ambassadorial roles to further disseminate knowledge about the PDM, which they described as an “economic war they must win in order to eradicate poverty.”
The Teso youth called upon their leaders to provide them with modern technologies to be used in agriculture, saying the sector remains their major commercial activity.
A group of youths from Amuria told the congregation which also had Vice President Jesca Alupo, that tractors if provided, would enhance their production as they engage in the war against household poverty.
“We need assistance in terms of implements. If we can be given hand tractors at least at subsided prices, we would help ourselves increase our output,” one of the youth leaders said.
The other group from Kumi asked for more funds for cattle compensation, saying their animals are their lifeline, and that since the loss of animals, life has never been any easier.
Leaders from Kaberamaido rightly demanded support in areas of fish farming and goat rearing. They said fish farming could help them in eradicating poverty in their households.
The youth leaders from Soroti City asked government to invest more in Soroti Industrial park as well as bring in area more investors, as one way of addressing unemployment among the young people.
Youth leaders from Ngora district talked of the need to improve agri-business, saying it would help them fight poverty in their homes. Ngora and Kaberamaido are cradles for fishing in the entire Teso Sub-region with the majority of the population involved in the activity.
Meanwhile, youth leaders from Katakwi and Kapelebyong expressed gratitude towards government’s efforts in restoring security at the border with Karamoja. The cattle raiders were the biggest problem in the two districts until recently when government instituted permanent security installations in the region
Vice President Alupo who was the guest of honour urged the youths to engage in development, especially through agricultural production, focusing on enterprises like fruit growing and others.
“We have an advantage that we can produce fruits here in Teso and they do well. Let us have more youths in agriculture. As your leaders, we are going to work together to extend a helping hand toward your efforts,” she said.
She asked other youths to continue working for the good of the country. “We lost so much time during the Lord’s Resistance Army [ LRA] invasion of Teso. We lost more time due to cattle rustlers. We also lost a lot of time as Teso during Uganda People’s Army [UPA] activities. ‘Now is the time to work,” she said.
The Chairperson National Youth Council, Jacob Eyeru, appreciated leaders in the region for embracing the event, saying it marked a new era in Teso.
“It is the energy of the young people of Teso to remove poverty from Teso.
We want Teso to develop we want continuity,” he said.
Ministers present included Minister for Foreign Affairs- Jeje Odong, Musa Ecweru-Minister of State for Works, and Minister for Teso Affairs-Clement Obote
https://thecooperator.news/teso-youth-appeal-for-more-information-on-emyooga/
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