Buyende, Uganda: Buyende District Local Government has received new vehicles, motorcycles and agricultural equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to strengthen agricultural extension services and support climate-smart farming across the district.
The equipment, handed over on Wednesday at the district headquarters, includes a brand-new double-cabin pickup truck, two Haojue motorcycles, mini solar irrigation equipment, spray pumps and other agricultural inputs.
The consignment was provided under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP), a World Bank-funded initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change.
The handover ceremony was presided over by Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Kalikwani Makakanyala, Chief Administrative Officer, district technical officers and local leaders.
Buyende LCV Chairperson Sharif Magalaine welcomed the support, saying it reflects the government’s commitment to implementing its agricultural transformation agenda.
“We thank the NRM government for fulfilling what is in the manifesto. However, I warn the District Production Department not to use this vehicle to drive them to places of comfort. They should go to the field and engage with local farmers so that we transform agriculture and change the lives of our people,” Magalaine said.
RDC Paul Kalikwani Makakanyala said commercialising agriculture remains a central government priority and urged extension workers to ensure the equipment directly benefits farmers.
“Transformation and commercialization of agriculture is one of the key aspects of government. We thank the Ministry of Agriculture for following up on the commitments of the government. I also caution the production department that these vehicles and motorcycles are field vehicles. They must be used in the field to extend services to farmers who have received inputs and need supervision and technical support,” Kalikwani said.
Agricultural extension worker Kalyango Hillary appealed for additional government investment to strengthen extension services across the district.
“We urge government to provide more support to the agriculture department so that we are able to supervise farmers and deliver extension services effectively,” Kalyango said.
District officials said the newly acquired vehicles and equipment will enable extension workers to reach farmers in remote sub-counties more efficiently with training, technical guidance and follow-up support under the climate-smart agriculture programme.
The officials expressed optimism that the additional resources will improve service delivery and accelerate agricultural productivity and household incomes across Buyende District.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
