Gulu City farmers get hand tractors
GULU – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Anima [MAAIF] has given 12 hand tractors to farmers in Gulu City to boost food production.
The hand tractors were procured through Mapenduzi Foundation, a charity local organisation operating in Gulu City.
The Foundation funder manager, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi who is the Member of Parliament for Bardege-Layibi Division told theCooperator on Friday that three of the 12 hand tractors had been delivered.
MP Mapenduzi said 250 youth have been trained to begin growing carrot, cabbage, onion, watermelons and tomatoes in the peri-urban areas within Gulu City.
At least 20 hectares of land has been established in the Negri Village in the Western Division for a demonstration farm.
The city mayor, Alfred Okwonga commended MAAIF for supporting urban farmers with the farm implements.
He noted that the new administrative annexed into the city still have land suitable for urban farming and urged the locals to take advantage of opportunities.
“We have a huge market here but our people are yet to be convinced that they can supply the city with food through urban farming and walk out of poverty,” Okwonga told theCooperator in an interview.
Emmanuel Lapyem who received training on tractor operation for agricultural mechanisation is hopeful that the programme will attract many of the unemployed youth in the city to support their livelihoods.
With four acres of land already plugged, Lapyem is hopeful that his first harvest will reach the market in the next three months and boost his livelihoods and household incomes.
https://thecooperator.news/mp-ariko-warns-against-restrictions-on-use-of-tractors/
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