MBARARA – The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is rolling out a mechanisation programme that started with the procurement and distribution of an initial 40 tractors for the South-Western region of the country reaching farmer groups in Ibanda, Mbarara, Isingiro, Lyantonde, Sheema, Kazo, and Ntungamo in 2015.
The ministry said the programme was reinforced with another 110 tractors in 2017 which was followed by 170 tractors in 2018 as part of the countrywide plan.
“This is also being complemented with Labour Saving Technologies,” reads MAAIF statement in part.
The programme is being rolled out through the Department of Agricultural Infrastructure, Mechanisation and water for Agricultural Production as well as the National Agricultural Advisory Services.
According to the ministry, between 2015 and 2016, 80 Tractor Operators were trained and attached to farmer groups.
“For the more recent batch of tractors, the target for Tractor Operators Trained and attached to farmer groups is 560,” said the ministry.
“To date, 420 have been trained and attached. The training will be concluded on the 7th of February 2020,” added the ministry.
The ministry tipped that the tractor operators should check and confirm the condition and acreage of the fields/farms before they are ploughed.
“This will ensure that correct acreage is ploughed and the equipment is not damaged by tree stumps, roots and rocks to enhance the service life of the tractors and their implements.”
