UPDF goes for commercial maize production in fight against food insecurity

KIKUUBE-The Uganda People’s Defence Forces [UPDF] has joined efforts of ensuring food security in the country by launching commercial production of maize, soybeans, and sorghum

The UPDF Spokesperson, Brig Gen. Felix Kulayigye explained that with financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture’s food security acceleration project, the force is engaging in the large-scale production of maize in selected regions of the country.

Kulayigye explained that the project which was initiated by President Museveni early this year to tackle biting hunger has had UPDF, National Enterprise Cooperation [NEC], veterans SACCOs across the country, prisons, and chieftaincy of production and welfare among others supported with seed capital, seeds, fertilisers, and herbicide to produce food in plenty.

He added the project focuses on the commercial growing of three crops, which include maize, soya bean, and Sorghum although this season they started with maize.

Kulayigye made the remarks during the inspection of 1,120 acres of army maize farm located in Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube district by Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Vincent Ssempija Bamulangaki, his deputy Jacob Oboth Oboth and the State Minister for Veteran Affairs Huda Abason Oleru.

The three square miles of land, where the UPDF is carrying out different projects including maize growing was donated by the Office of the Prime Minister after the eviction of over 60,000 encroachers in 2013. The land is in Ngoma village about 5 kilometres from Kikuube town.

Kulayigye noted UPDF is growing maize on a large scale in northern Uganda, eastern Uganda the maize, Kyankwanzi district in the central region, and in Kikuube district Bunyoro region.

He noted that the veterans, NEC, and the UPDF among others were supposed to get Shs 8 billion each but they first received Shs 4bln for the project this season. They expect the remaining next season, even though he said the first funds came in late and could affect production in some areas.

“We are happy that in northern Uganda the maize is good and we are expecting to have bumper harvests. The only things we need now are storage and value addition facilities,” Kulayigye said.

Minister Ssempija was impressed by the progress of the project, saying that the funds, which were disbursed to the beneficiaries, were properly utilised.

He noted that the army has proved that they have the capacity to produce enough food for the country but they only lack mechanization such as tractors, planters, and machines for irrigation.

“They are depending on rain and hand goes to cultivate. This is the reason why they failed to plant in time. If we can get supported with mechanisation, will be able to plant in time produce enough food for the country,” he said.

Minister Oleru on the hand appealed to the Ministry of Defence to allocate part of their three square miles of land located in Kyangwali Sub-County in Kikuube district to veterans so that they engage in commercial agriculture.

Minister Oboth supported Minister Oleru’s request saying that veterans need to be supported to be productive. “I request that the request of the Minister [Oleru] be considered because whoever [UPDF officers] is putting on that uniform today,  tomorrow he will remove it and become a veteran,” Oboth said.

Faustine Mutabazi, the Kyangwali army farm manager said that the farm is facing the challenge of army fall worms which are ravaging the maize, and encroachers who graze their animals in the farms.

Amlan Tumusiime the Kikuube resident district commissioner commended the UPDF for the project, saying that the initiative is going to address the challenge of food insecurity in the Bunyoro region. He promised to send away the encroachers from the army’s land.

https://thecooperator.news/naro-musevenis-directive-on-massive-food-production-bearing-fruit/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news