Bukedea farmers embark on growing oil seed crops
“We conducted mapping and clustering of our farmers in the districts," said Mr. Okino.
By George Emuron
Bukedea: A section of farmers in Bukedea district have embarked on growing oil seed crops as their commercial agricultural activity in the district.
In a stakeholders meeting organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) held at Bukedea district headquarter, the farmers endorsed and created a farmer forum whose purpose is to bridge the farmer communication gap.
Mr. Solomon Okino, the hub coordinator for the national oil seed project under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) in charge of mid-north, says the national oil seed project is operating in nineteen districts, with ten districts in the Teso subregion, of which Bukedea is one, and nine districts in the Lango subregion.
He said under the ministry of agriculture, animal industry, and fisheries, only 81 districts are promoting national oilseed projects across the district.
“We conducted mapping and clustering of our farmers in the districts,” said Mr. Okino.
Mr. Jude Ongota, the Bukedea district agricultural officer who is the focal point, says so far, 500 farmers have registered and expressed interest in growing oil seed crops.
He said the targeted crops include sunflowers, groundnuts, simi-sim, and soy beans.
According to Ongota, the produced oil seed crops will be locally processed.
“Uganda is currently consuming the imported oil, so the government, through the ministries of agriculture, animal industry, and fisheries, introduced a national oil seed project as a mechanism for farmers to produce oil locally,” said Mr. Ongota.
Mr. Tom Okwi, the elected forum chairperson, said before the creation of the farmer’s forum, communication channels were a big challenge faced by farmers.
“The biggest challenge our farmers face is a communication gap; farmers do not link to one another, mostly in terms of marketing,” said Mr. Okwi.
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