OYAM DISTRICT EYES 40% INCREASE IN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION THROUGH IRRIGATION

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BY CHRIS JAMES WOO

OYAM: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

Oyam district in northern Uganda is eyeing a 40% increment in vegetable production through promotion of smallholder irrigation farming.

However the district is placing its faith in the German Development Agency, GIZ to help it realize that vision.

Last week it hosted a farmers’ field day and exhibition targeting farmers’ groups supported by GIZ.

Patrick Odyomo, the district Agricultural officer of Oyam, acknowledged that vegetable production still stands at only 10 percent.

He encouraged the local farmers to embrace irrigation to boost their production output to at least 50%.

Darius Okello Akol, Mayor of Minakulu town, however in his remarks appealed to GIZ to add more farmers’ groups to the existing five groups so that it benefits large number of people.

Marty Fokkink , the team leader of Water for Agricultural Production in Northern Uganda, applauded the farmers for their team work and the level of commitments they are showing.

During the project implementation, GIZ supported all the farmers’ groups with agricultural inputs such as irrigation equipment, spray pumps, fertilizers and seeds.

The GIZ supported project also aims at protecting swamps and the environment through promoting water resources management in northern Uganda including efficient water use, water harvesting and water source protection.

James Otim, one of the seed suppliers, encouraged farmers to continue using certified seeds, foundation seeds or quality declared seeds to avoid making losses as rainy season approaches saying seeds bought from local market are of poor quality.

Meanwhile the bankers association of Uganda through one of their members, Joshua Obua who works at Opportunity bank branch in Oyam, appealed to farmers to develop savings culture and financial discipline when managing their funds.