Govt aids rice farmers expelled from wetlands

Members of Kikolataka farmers’ group in Namutumba District receive a piglet from the  Ministry of Agriculture on Monday to improve their livelihoods after they were chased from wetlands. PHOTO | RONALD SEEBE

What you need to know:

  • A total of 32 piglets were on Monday disbursed to four groups in Mazuba Sub-county, who were formerly rice farmers owing to the proximity of River Mpologoma.

Rice farmers in Namutumba District, who were expelled from wetlands, have received piglets and goats from the ministries of Agriculture and Water to improve their livelihoods.

A total of 32 piglets were on Monday disbursed to four groups in Mazuba Sub-county, who were formerly rice farmers owing to the proximity of River Mpologoma.

 However, the farmers said rice farming was more productive; and that the piglets and goats were kept as side income.

 “Our profit-generating activity has always been rice growing. We were given piglets without feeds, and piggery enterprises are very expensive to manage as one needs to see veterinary doctors and agricultural extension workers who are not active in our communities,” Mr Christopher Waigongolo, a beneficiary, said.

 He requested government to come up with rice which grows in dry areas. In Uganda, there are mainly two types of rice; upland rice, which grows on fairly dry areas, and paddy rice, which grows in swampy areas.

 Mr James Mugurwa, the Mazuba Sub-county chairperson, however, said giving the farmers animals sounds like compensation.

 “It is illogical for a group of 28 people to get eight piglets which are not worth millions of shillings that farmers were getting from growing rice,” Mr Mugurwa said, advising government to get proper ways of consoling the affected farmers.

Mr Noah Kire, the district communications officer, however, said the line ministries are getting funds from Green Climate Fund under the Climate Resilient Project Entitled Building Resilient Communities, Wetlands Ecosystem and Associated Catchments in Uganda.

“The main goal of this project is to restore, sustainably manage wetlands and support targeted communities in wetland areas of Uganda to reduce risks of climate change posed to agricultural-based livelihoods,” he said, adding that the piglets and goats are not for individual vulnerable beneficiaries, but are given to group farmers with different enterprises.

 Mr Amos Kigozi, the Resident District Commissioner, said whoever will be found selling the given animals will be arrested and prosecuted.

Farmers get trees
Meanwhile, about 13,000 farmers in Kamuli District at the weekend received 30 tree seedlings each to plant and curb climate change, improve soil fertility and in future provide livelihood through timber.

The seedlings were distributed at Nalango Village, Namwendwa Sub-county by One Acre Fund (OAF), a non-profit agricultural organisation, which supplies smallholder farmers with the financing and training they need to grow their way out of hunger and poverty.

Accordingly, each of the farmers received 15 Grevillea and 15 Maesopsis (Musizi) tree seedlings, which on average take between six to eight years and 12 to 15 years, respectively to mature.  

“This is the first time the farmers are receiving trees. During our second input distribution, we have given each of the 13,000 farmers 30 trees free-of-charge and urea, a top-dress fertiliser, since planting has started,” Mr Tim Myles, the OAF country director, said.