Ministers ask farmers to invest in tree seedlings in Northern Uganda

GULU-The State for Environmental, Beatrice Atim Anywar has asked farmers in Northern Uganda to invest in tree seedlings if they are to develop their farms at a low cost.

Addressing the stakeholders’ meeting recently in Gulu, Anywar noted that there is a need for the farmers to invest in nursing beds to support the implementation of the Parish Development Model [PDM].

With the changing weather patterns, the government is focusing attention on the introduction of perennial crops into the region which includes coffee, tea, and fruits among others.

The minister however noted that whereas the government is focusing on supporting perennial crops in the region, the limited numbers of nursery beds for seedlings may affect the implementation of the PDM.

She noted that most nursery beds for tree and fruit seedlings are established outside the region and so transportation of the seedlings from distant places has reduced the survival rates of tree seedlings and fruits.

“Some of the seedlings will reach here when they are weak while others have even died and now we want each parish to set up a very big nursery bed for the implementation of the parish development model,” Anywar further explained.

Her counterpart, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem similarly noted that the agroforestry and production of fruits in the region is something the farmers have not taken on seriously, urging them to take up the venture.

Oryem explained that, unlike other crops, fruits already have ready markets adding that the government is looking forward to establishing processing plants in the region for enhancing the value addition.

He has appealed to the implementers of the PDM to sensitise the communities on alternative farming to counter the drastic weather changes.

https://thecooperator.news/over-500-pioneer-farmers-get-macadamia-seedlings-in-agago/

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