Rubanda farmers receive hybrid maize seeds to boost food production
RUBANDA, November 10, 2026 – Farmers in Rubanda district have received hybrid maize seeds through an initiative spearheaded by the district Woman Member of Parliament, Evelyne Ninsiima Kikafunda, aimed at increasing agricultural production, tackling poverty and improving household food security.
The initiative has so far covered Bubaare, Hamurwa, Ikumba and Ruhija subcounties, with each receiving 400 kilogrammes of hybrid maize seeds to support farmers during the current planting season.
The distribution exercise was officially launched at Bubaare Subcounty headquarters, where Francine Turyazayo, the Woman District Councillor representing Hamuhambo Town Council and Bubaare Subcounty, represented Kikafunda.
Addressing farmers during the launch, Turyazayo described the seeds as high-quality hybrid varieties capable of improving yields if properly planted and managed.
She urged beneficiaries not to sell the seeds or use them for household consumption but instead plant them to improve agricultural productivity and household incomes.
“Make productive use of these seeds by planting them and taking good care of your crops to ensure better harvests,” Turyazayo told the farmers.
The initiative has been welcomed by beneficiaries, who said it had come at a critical time when many households were preparing for the planting season following prolonged sunshine that had affected their previous crops.
Moses Ndamira, popularly known as Customer, a resident of Nyungu village in Kashenyi parish, said the distribution had come as a timely intervention amid difficulties in accessing planting materials.
Ndamira, however, cautioned beneficiaries against consuming the seeds because of immediate food shortages, urging them to prioritise planting.
“Some people may be tempted to eat the maize because of the food shortages, but I appeal to them to preserve the seeds for planting,” he said.
He added that farmers who obtained good harvests could share some of their produce with other community members who had not benefited from the initiative.
Other beneficiaries, Dinah Tusasibwe, Prima Turinawe and Jackson Mareju, all residents of Buremba Village, thanked Kikafunda for the support, saying it had renewed their hope of returning to farming after their previous crops were affected by prolonged sunshine.
They said they had been uncertain about where to obtain seeds for the new planting season but were now ready to resume cultivation following the intervention.
James Bagubwa, the team leader of the initiative, said the project was intended to address poverty and food insecurity in Rubanda district by encouraging households to embrace productive agriculture.
He urged farmers to plant the seeds and properly manage their crops, saying increased maize production would help households meet their food needs, improve incomes and generate surplus produce for sharing with other farmers.
Bagubwa said the initiative was expected to encourage a culture of productive farming, enabling beneficiaries to improve their livelihoods through agriculture.
https://thecooperator.news/rubanda-cooperative-leverages-coffee-to-grow-membership/
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