SOROTI, September 30, 2024 – Soroti district days ago launched the second disbursement of the Parish Development Model [PDM] funds at Gweri Sub-county headquarters. A total of Shs 5.4 billion is expected to be disbursed to the programme’s beneficiaries who did not get the money in the first phase.
The Soroti Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ronald Bakak presided over the fund disbursement and urged the beneficiaries not to deviate from the selected enterprises for which they received training and for which the money was released. “Do not engage in new business ideas where you do not have expertise,” Bakak said.
The programme [PDM] targets enterprises such as banana growing, dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, poultry keeping, and fruit growing among several others, with the beneficiaries receiving Shs 1mln to implement the projects aimed at driving poverty out of the households of the active poor.
Beneficiaries have expressed mixed feelings, with some stating that the government has rescued them from poverty, while others are calling for more funding to boost their business ventures.
“I have improved my business and now I have hope in improving the welfare of my family. I am now able to pay children’s fees,” says David Okodi who runs a fresh fruits kiosk in Soroti City.
Hellen Asekenye, a food vendor in Soroti says she was given Shs 1,000,000 in the first phase of the disbursement of the funds, which she invested in the food business that she says is doing well. “I have more customers who buy my food and I have been able to hire four workers to help me,” she said.
Michael Ochegere, a farmer from Arapai, Soroti says the funds he received enabled him to establish a garden for greens and spices which he says has improved his household income.
“I used to produce only maize and sorghum on my small land. when I got the money, I started growing greens. I sell the greens and spices to market vendors and this has improved by incomes,” he says.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner for West Division in Soroti City, James Chemitai also days ago launched the disbursement of PDM funds in Amoru ward, Soroti City.
During the launch, Chemutai emphasised the importance of utilising the funds wisely, cautioning the beneficiaries against abuse of the funds.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing poverty at the household level and assured the community of continued monitoring and evaluation to ensure the programme’s success.
At least 54 active cells across 12 wards in the division are set to benefit from the programme seen as a game changer in the socio-economic transformation of the country.
The PDM, a government initiative launched in February 2022, aims to lift at least 39 percent of the country’s households from subsistence production into a money economy. The PDM has seven pillars including production, infrastructure, and economic services, financial inclusion, social services, mindset change, parish-based management information system, and governance and administration.
https://thecooperator.news/soroti-district-gears-up-for-mass-livestock-vaccination-against-fmd/
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