Lango, Teso farmers embrace growing iron-rich beans

LIRA – Farmers in the Lango and Teso sub-regions have started the production of iron-rich beans, alongside orange sweet potatoes, and green vegetables such as Sukuma wiki to improve nutrition in their households.

The project funded by Development Initiative for Northern Uganda [DINU] under nutrition-sensitive intervention is being implemented by Alliance Biodiversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture [CIAT] in seven districts of Kwania, Apac, Amolatar, Otuke, Amuria, Kapelebyong, and Dokolo.

Alliance of Biodiversity International and CIAT, is a global organisation building on their complementary mandates and long collaboration, to respond to today’s global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and malnutrition.

Jackline Akullo, a research associate with aBi Trust in charge of nutrition, while in Abany pari in Kwania district on Wednesday said they have established demonstration farms for the crops in the targeted districts.

She said they have built the capacity of the farmers in nutrition, trained them on good agronomic practices, supplied them with seeds and fertiliser to boost the production of the selected crops and vegetables.

“We are trying to increase food security and nutrition in Lango and Teso sub regions,” she said, adding that over 8000 households in Lango and Teso sub-regions have so far benefitted.

Stephen Ongom, a community facilitator at Abany parish in Abongomola Sub-county said the intervention started in 2021 and it has improved food security in the area.

He said many farmers have picked up the growing of the foundation seeds like cowpeas, iron-rich beans to improve on the diets and generate household income.

https://thecooperator.news/adjumani-farmers-decry-low-prices-of-soybeans-urged-to-form-cooperatives/

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