KIKUUBE, UGANDA; Vanilla and fish farmers in Kikuube District are asking government for support to help them address the challenges they face in their enterprises.
The Union appealed during a prompt visit and supervision of farmers under the umbrella United Rural Development Association (URODA) by operation wealth creation and the Kikuube RDC Hon. Amulan Tumusiime.
URODA is a youth association with 500 members and is engaged in enterprises including vanilla growing, piggery, poultry rearing, and fish farming among others.
According to Omuhereza Kemigisa Asaba, the district coordinator for Vanilla Growers Association Uganda says the farmers lack water pumps to water their farms since they are costly.
“Vanilla plant needs over 60% of water, so during the dry season the crops are affected so much and this leads to poor yields”. Omuhereza Kemigisa said.
Asaba also expressed concern over the increased theft of vanilla seeds and fluctuating prices of vanilla saying that a kilogram of vanilla in 2018 was between 200000/= and 100000/= but now it is at 60000/=.
John Mary Akugizibwe the URODA chairperson says farmers should also be supported with fish fry and other equipment to boost their enterprise.
However, Amulan Tumusiime the Kikuube RDC has commended the farmers for being United and engaging in agricultural production for the fight against poverty and promised to lobby for them a tractor so they can stop using rudimentary tools for commercial production
The Operation Wealth Creation co-ordinator Mr. Joram Kagezi challenged the farmers to embrace the existing government programs such as the Parish development model among others if they are to benefit from the existing government projects.
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