By Our Reporter
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has handed over a range of modern mechanization tools including 55 handheld walk-behind tractors to smallholder farmers in Karamoja.
The 55 tractors were handed over during a function held at a function held at the National Agricultural Mechanization Referral Centre in Namalere in Wakiso District as part of the five year Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in the Karamoja Region (SURE–Karamoja) that focuses on rehabilitating ecosystem services through restoration, agro-forestry, natural regeneration and sound pasture management, among other activities.
The 55 tractors will benefit over 12000 farming households across the Karamoja region districts of Karenga, Moroto, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Kaabong and Kotido.
The tractors are fitted with ploughs, seed planters, and trailers while over 40 water boilers and irrigation kits will enhance water management and production resilience.
Speaking during the handover, the outgoing FAO country representative in Uganda Dr. Antonio Querido said the equipment will boost agriculture mechanization in the Karamoja region.
The move is seen as a critical step toward reversing the region’s low agricultural productivity, which is largely attributed to dependence on traditional, labor-intensive practices.
The equipment distribution is part of the “Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for
Food Security in the Karamoja Sub-region” (F-SURE) project, a five-year initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and jointly implemented by FAO and UNDP.
The project targets over 12,000 farming households across the districts of Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Nabilatuk, and Nakapiripirit.
F-SURE promotes agro-pastoralism hybrid approach that combines crop and livestock farming as a pathway to increased resilience, higher productivity, and reduced conflict over natural resources.
Speaking at the handover on Monday, FAO’s outgoing Country Representative in Uganda, Antonio Querido, emphasized the project’s long-term vision.
He explained that the project aims to embed ecosystem management into efforts to improve smallholder agriculture and food systems, highlighting the role of natural resources in food production by responding to persistent food insecurity, driven by environmental degradation and climate change in Karamoja.
“To tackle this, the project has taken a multi-faceted approach: increasing food production, expanding livelihood options, and reducing vulnerability to shocks”, said Querido.
According to him, the overall goal is to improve food security by addressing the environmental causes of food insecurity.
Representing MAAIF at the ceremony, Eng. Francis Waneloba acknowledged the historical reliance on pastoralism in Karamoja and the recurring challenges of drought, land degradation, and food insecurity.
Eng Francis Waneloba, who represented the Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary said their target is ensuring a shift from traditional pastoralism to agro-pastoralism, where both
He explained that by doing this, government is trying to improve incomes by increasing productivity and productivity in Karamoja region.
MAAIF’s Dr. Paul Ayella said the project seeks to enhance Karamoja’s productivity but also enhance its resilience.
Speaking while receiving the equipment, Moroto LCV chairman, Lotee Paul Komol applauded FAO and MAAIF for the donation that he said will go a long way in boosting the region’s agricultural potential.
