Operation Wealth Creation donates tractor to West Lango diocese

In a bid to boost commercial farming and improve the livelihoods of local farmers, the government through Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) has donated a brand new tractor worth 65m to the Diocese of West Lango. 

The donation is one of 37 tractors lined up for distribution to all the dioceses in the province of Church of Uganda (CoU), according to a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the CoU and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries.

While handing over the tractor to the Rt. Rev. Julius Caesar Nina, Bishop of West Lango Diocese, Kwania district Kwania Resident district Commissioner,  Salim Komakech, they asked the church to ensure that it is used for the intended purpose, namely, to help farmers boost their crop production.

“I urge the church leaders to take the Centre stage in preaching hard work. Let the Christians invest in commercial farming and ensure that all farmers have equal access to the tractor so as to increase production,” Komakech said.

Bishop Nina thanked the government for prioritizing agricultural mechanization and supporting the diocese of West Lango with the tractor. He believes the tractor will increase agricultural productivity and improve on the livelihoods of the local farmers within the diocese.

According to Bishop Nina, the donation brings to two the number of tractors at the Diocese. In 2014 the Diocese of West Lango received another tractor from the government under National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).

Canon Richard Ogwang Odyero, the Chairman Laity of the Diocese of West Lango, is optimistic that the tractor will help farmers within and outside the diocese.

“The tractor will be used by farmers irrespective of political and religious affiliations. One only has to fuel the tractor and meet small maintenance cost of less than 80,000 shillings. This will be done in good faith in order to boost their [farmers’] production and consequently household incomes,” he said.

The Kwania District Production Officer, Johnson Ojok Ocen, appealed to the beneficiary to put the tractor to good use. Operation Wealth Creation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the beneficiary on maintenance and proper use of the tractor.

In 2019, the government distributed 28 tractors to organized and registered farmer groups, associations and cooperatives in Lango Sub-region which were tasked to manage them on business principles.

Regional service centers were established to extend maintenance and repairs services closer to the beneficiaries. The suppliers of the tractors were tasked with providing specific training to the operators in operation and maintenance of the equipment received.

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