By Claude Omona and Arnest Tumwesige
Over 7000 farmers in eight districts are going to benefit under the Northern Uganda Horticulture Market Acceleration Project (NU-HortiMap).
The project worth over sh7.3b is being implemented by TechnoServe, a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the district local governments.
Robert Akena the program manager at TechnoServe, told participants that the 18-month project will be implemented in the districts of Gulu, Nwoya, Amuru, Kitgum, Pader, Lira, Kole and Oyam.
Akena added that the project will support farmers to plant fast-maturing crops like cabbage, onions, passion fruits, pepper, okra and carrots, among others.
Juliet Kyokunda, the country director TechnoServe, said the project will also promote infrastructural development with a focus on irrigation scheme establishments and storage facilities like stores.
Kyokunda however says this shall be decided by the beneficiary groups on the existing capacity gaps and co-fund to meet their needs in relation to infrastructure development.
Charles Ichogor, the Gulu resident district commissioner, implored the implementers to use organic means of boosting production since this conserves the environment.
Ichogor lashed out to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards for failing to safeguard people against counterfeit products that are being sold openly on the market thus compromising quality.
The project was launched in Gulu city on Friday and the ceremony was attended by farm input dealers, district leaders and agriculture ministry officials among other key stakeholders.
