Members of the Parliamentary committee on Agriculture want government to expedite the use of fertilizers, provision of adequate seeds and mechanization of agriculture with a view of improving agriculture productions.
Legislators proposed the adoption of policies that will protect farmers from exploitation by traders and middlemen who pay for farm produce months before they mature for harvest.
Former Vice President and Member of Parliament for Busiro GilbertBukenya led MPs in demanding for transfer of technology and skills from centres of excellence to the villages and farmers.
He noted the need for urgent government intervention in the seed production and distribution chain to enable farmers have adequate access to quality seeds and planting materials.
.Bukenya also proposed that government should embark on the production of essential seeds needed by farmers in many parts of the country.
Agriculture Minister TressBucyanayandisaid that although the sector had overtime registered significant successes, there was need to address emerging challenges that include climate change and staffing at the central and local governments.
He announced that government would prioritize funding interventions to increase production and value addition in the sector. The interventions include the construction of silos to support the country’s food security, the establishment of regional factories to process maize and other grains, and plans for the construction of a fertilizer factory.
Minister Bucyanayandi also noted the need to revive cooperatives to help in marketing and the tractor hire scheme as a transition from the hang hoe to mechanization.
The Chief of Defence Forces General Aronda Nyakairima emphasized the need for collaboration between the ministry of Agriculture and the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces(UPDF) in fighting illegal fishing along the country’s watre bodies.
He pledged to support liason with the national meterological department to ensure timely provision of data on weather patterns.
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