LIRA-Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [ ZAR7DI ] in Lira City East Division, Lira City, one of the agencies implementing the government strategy of boosting food security and seed production in the country has kicked off planting.
The institute has started planting maize, groundnuts, and soybeans using the newly acquired seed planter to quicken the process, according to Dr. Laban Turyagyenda, the director of the institute.
Dr. Turyagyenda said they have ploughed 140 acres under the government`s project of mass food and seed production. He said planting would be completed soon before this first rainy season ends.
Last year government approved Shs 176 billion to enhance the production of four major crops in order to avert food insecurity in some parts of the country.
Uganda Prison Service, Uganda People`s Defence Forces, National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO], National Enterprise Corporation and National Animal Genetic Resource Center and Data Bank [NAGR&DB] were identified to implement the project.
They were tasked to produce enough food for the country and ensure there is surplus for emergency according to the government. The targeted crops were bean, maize, soybean and sorghum.
Turyagyenda said on Monday they have acquired the tractor to ease the process because in the last season of 2022, they used manual labor for planting.
Recently Rev. Susan Awino, a member of the NARO Governing Council advised government to release funds early such that the planting is done early enough.
Her concern followed a report by Dr. Baranbas Mudde, an official of Ngetta ZARDI that in the second planting season of 2022, they were badly affected because government released funds when the season was almost ending.
Turyagyenda said this time round they expect a bumpy harvest since they are planting in time.
https://thecooperator.news/inside-government-plans-to-boost-food-security/
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