Two farmers’ groups have received tractors as the government continues with the program of scaling up agricultural acreage in the country.
The two 75 Horsepower tractors will be appropriated by women farmers’ groups in Karenga and Bugweri, Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (MAAIF) said.
Tumwebaze, who handed over the tractors on Monday to groups’ representatives, said the tractors are part of the wider program of mechanizing agriculture and helping to boost farmers’ yields in the country.
He added that as the budget allows, his ministry will continue to give out more ‘mechanization tools to stimulate large-scale food cash crop production in the country.
Since 2013, the Government has distributed at least 320 tractors and other implements to farmers’ groups in 123 district local governments to scale up farm production for the commercialization of agriculture.
The tractors are given to organized and registered farmer groups, associations or cooperatives in a given locality to manage them on business principles.
Sourced from the New Holland Company, the multi-purpose tractors can be used in planting, land preparation and harvesting.
They can also be used to generate power, transport produce from the farm, make silage and also run a water pump for irrigation.
The tractors are purchased through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).
The biggest tranche of the tractors were handed over in March 2019 at Namalere Agricultural Centre at an event presided over by President Yoweri Museveni.
During the event, the president handed over a total of 284 tractors.
At least 68 percent of Ugandans live outside the money, not because they are lazy but because they are practising traditional agriculture, according to the President.
