By Ibrahim Adubango
Nebbi, (UG):- The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has launched the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation project in the greater Nebbi region in a bid to improve food security and livelihoods.
While addressing Nebbi District leaders and Stakeholders during the launch of the project at Nebbi Community Social Centre conference hall recently in Nebbi, the Assistant Commissioner Agro-Business at MAAIF, Mr Yaface Ogwang noted the launch of the project is aimed at integrating climate-smart agricultural approaches that will boost production and productivity, and strengthen Resilience in Agricultural enterprises.
Ogwang said following numerous immense challenges due to Unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, pests and diseases faced by the sector which continues to threaten crops, livestock, fisheries, it’s upon this vice that MAAIF has designed as a comprehensive project whose strategy is to promote Climate Smart Agriculture to address such challenges.
“As you are all aware, agriculture is the backbone of our countries economy that is employing the majority of our people and contributing significantly to food security and livelihoods, the project development objective is to increase productivity, market access, and resilience of selected value chains Crops, Livestock and Fisheries respectively,” he said.
The Commissioner added that Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project that will be implemented in the four districts of Nebbi, Zombo, Yumbe and Ajumani in west Nile, strategically will promote four Value Chain product that will include Coffee, Cocoa, Mango, Hass Avocado, Cassava, Maize, Livestock Dairy and Beef, Fish capture and Aquaculture, Beneficial insects Bees and Black Soldier Fly among others.
At the launch, the Nebbi District Production Officer, Mr Nyakuni Levi appreciated the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) for launching the Climate Smart Agriculture Project in the region stating that this will Enhanced Productivity and Resilience to climate change.
Nyakuni explained that the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project by the government through MAAIF is a bold step towards achieving sustainable agricultural development that will address the critical challenges in the agricultural sector that will transform livelihoods of millions of farmers in Nebbi and Zombo Region.
Nebbi District LC5 vice chairperson, Mr Okello Geoffrey said as a district, they are ready to embrace and implement the Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project to the dot.
“I can confirm that it’s going to be our responsibility to mobilizing our farmers to embrace this launched project that we believe will play a significant role to Increase on productivity, market access, and strengthen resilience in the key agricultural enterprises in Nebbi district,” Okello said.
In a related development, for an increased productivity, market access and resilience of select value chains, Local Leaders have urged local communities in Zombo district to embrace the Climate-Smart Agriculture transformation project.
Zombo District LC5 Chairperson, Mr Zombo Oyull James said with the introduction of the project in Zombo district, there is need for the local communities to adopt climate-smart technologies and practices.
He revealed that since the objective of the project is to increase productivity, market access and resilience of select value chains in the project area and to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency, he believes this helps increase productivity and household incomes while enhancing resilience to climatic shocks.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner Zombo, Ms Atim Grace said as a leader, she welcomes the project in the district since the project cuts across all the agricultural sectors that promote four Value Chain products that include crop, Livestock Dairy and Beef,: Fish capture and Aquaculture, among others.
She noted that since the entire population of Zombo district has the backbone of agriculture, she encouraged the communities of zombo district to embrace the project by forming groups if they are to benefit from the project that has come to compliment the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Zombo District Production Officer Komakech Walter also during the meeting applauded the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) for considering Zombo District to undertake Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project stating that as Zombo district they will remain committed to effectively implement the Project and deliver the desired results.
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