The tractor hire scheme under implementation in Karamoja sub region. Photo by Arnest Tumwesige
By Arnest Tumwesige
Moroto: Farmers in the Karamoja sub-region are massively using tractor-hire schemes to expand their crop production.
In April 2023, 16 tractors were handed over to Nabuin Zonal Agricultural Research Institute (ZARDI) in Nabilatuk district, where the government intended to set up a pilot study for mechanized agriculture.
The initiative was meant to mitigate food insecurity caused mainly by rampant cattle raids and inadequate rainfall.
Under the tractor hire scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), each farmer whose garden is ploughed is advised on what type of seeds to plant.
To ensure effectiveness, Nabuin ZARDI has started producing seeds like maize, green grams, sorghum, and cowpeas. At least 20 metric tons of seeds are available for distribution.
Farmers are also advised to sow sorghum in the dry season so that they germinate timely as soon as rain starts.
Karamoja has only one planting season, with an average rainfall of about 600 millimeters to 800 millimeters, compared to other parts that receive 1,000 to 2,000 millimeters.
Dr. Paul Okullo the Director of Research, Nabuin ZARDI told GNNA said the biggest challenges facing farming in Karamoja are the proper timing of planting and recycling “wrong seeds” which have lost viability.
According to Okullu, 800 millimeters of rainfall is adequate for crops to mature in any agricultural system, but the problems come because farmers wait for rain to fall to start opening land, yet the sub-region has only between 90 days to 120 days of rain.
“The months of April to July are just enough for general annual crops to get planted and reach maturity like in any other part of Uganda,” Dr. Okullo said.
Thousands register for tractor hire
Records from the Nabuin show that last year, 7,000 acres were registered for cultivation and about 3,500 were ploughed in the districts of Nabilatuk, Abim, Kabong, and part of Napak.
However, this year, nine districts in the sub-region have already registered 50,000 acres to be ploughed using only 16 tractors at the Nabuin Collection Center, according to Dr. Okullo.
Over 1,000 out of the 50,000 acres have already been opened in the districts of Napak, Nakapiripirit, and other neighboring districts.
The demand for tractors is registered through the sub-county extension staff to the district and a schedule is drawn on how to distribute them.
Each acre is ploughed at a subsidized fee of shs 80,000, an amount which was agreed on by MAAIF, district leaders, and Nabuin Institute.
Dr. Okullo revealed that last year, the tractor operators encountered challenges such as a lack of preparation of the fields for easy ploughing, tyre punctures, and difficulty accessing farmers who were scattered.
To have more impact, the Institute director and district leaders have resolved to deploy the tractors as a fleet in a few districts starting this year, for proper management.
“If we could have a minimum of 10 tractors per district, it would create a big impact,” he said.
Asked whether the impact was achievable, Dr. Okullu noted that it would be in the long term.
“…even pastoral communities are now having some gardens in their area and over time, they can now see that agriculture is feasible if you plant correct seeds time timely,” he said.
Scheme registers success
Dr. Fredrick Eladu the Kabong District Production Officer, noted that the project has so far proven very successful as evidenced by the high demand registered.
Dr. Eladu rubbished claims that Karamoja cannot become an agricultural economy, saying despite the unpredictable rainfall patterns, harvests are good whenever there is rain.
“The soils are very fertile, better than even the neighboring districts,” he said, adding, “There is a will by the people to embrace farming on a large scale through mechanization.”
He revealed that last year when the program was rolled out in Kaabong, the implementers collected shs80m within one week, indicating high demand.
Paul Kodet, the Napak district chairman, said MAAIF had delivered six tractors out of 14 tractors in his district. He believes that if all tractors were delivered, the district would produce enough food.
“We would not think about food relief,” Kodet said.
