PWDs get maize threshing machine to boost business
PWDs under their umbrella organisation Agalyawamu Farmers Group have been given a maize threshing machine worth Shs2.5 million. Photo by Jessica Sabano
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under their umbrella organisation Agalyawamu Farmers Group have been given a maize threshing machine worth Shs2.5 million.
The motor machine was donated by American investors to help ease their work at the maize threshing project in Ntengeru Sub County, Mukono District.
The PWDs initially threshed maize for a living using bare hands and charged Shs2,500 per 100kg.
The newly-appointed Resident District Commissioner of Mukono, Maj. David Matovu, while presiding over a half-day farmers’ conference on Friday said anybody organisation that decides to invest in boosting rural people’s incomes and contributing to their food security is a great asset.
At the event sponsored by Mukono District Department of Production and SASAKAWA Africa Association (SAA), Matovu said Uganda shall support such organisations as long as the battle against poverty and famine is still alive.
“It is the duty of government to improve the lives of citizens but when government gets partners like SASAKAWA, its burdens are reduced and therefore I call on the local people to appreciate honesty, discipline and hard work if they are to benefit from projects like these,” Maj Matovu said.
The country director for SASAKAWA Africa Association, Dr Roselyn Namutale, said her organisation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture and are operating in 20 districts supporting farmers groups.
She said SAA works to improve incomes of farmers by establishing small savings and loan schemes, link farmers to markets, teach post-harvest handling skills while emphasising food security.
Mr Sulaiman Mulajje, the chairperson of the group, said they were over 20 members in the group.
He said threshing a sack of 100kg with bare hands takes eight hours and a tonne takes a week.
“The new modern machine threshes 100kg in two minutes so the group deals with tonnes of maize and they shall be making profits which will be saved for a loan scheme for the group and a small maize mill in the area in the near future,” Mulajje said.
