New Grain Store commissioned and handed over to Farmers in Kyegegwa district
The Government of Uganda through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) in partnership with World Food Programme (WFP) handed over another modern community grain store to farmers in Kyegegwa district.
The 300 MT store located in Katente Village in Kyegegwa Town council is one of the Government initiatives aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, promoting value addition and collective marketing systems, besides improving access to agro-inputs in selected parts of the country. Through these stores small hold farming communities are able to access formal markets through group bulking and marketing.
The intervention is in line with government initiative to reduce pots-harvest losses and improve on the quality of grain produced in Uganda.
Speaking to the farmers during the handover of the store, the Chairperson LC5 Kyegegwa district John Byamukama said the store is the first of its kind in Kyegegwa district where 95 percent of the people are farmers. He cautioned the farmers to desist from selling maize from the gardens to get quick money.
“If Kyegegwa is to get value for money from the store, all the grain farmers should use the store to bulk maize and ensure that they bring quality maize”, said Byamukama.
The Chairperson of the Kyegegwa Farmers Association thanked NAADS and WFP for the support and said that since the store opened in 2020, farmers started bulking their maize and the quality of their maize has greatly improved overtime.
The farmers asked Government for more support in form of a maize mill to add value to their maize and tap into the available market in Kyaka refugee camp which is located within the district.
The Manager Technical and Agribusiness Services who represented the Executive Director NAADS Dr. Christopher Bukenya said NAADS will continue to work with other partners to address the challenges still faced by the farmers especially the maize mill which farmers said its urgently needed.
Dr. Bukenya implored the leaders to mobilize more farmers to bulk their produce to ensure that the store if fully utilized.
The store in Kyegegwa is the latest intervention by NAADS and WFP with eleven (11) other modern grain facilities constructed in 10 districts of Hoima, Masindi, Adjumani, Mubende, Kyenjojo, Kiboga, Kibaale, Nakaseke, Napak and Kiryandongo with plans to construct more in maize growing districts.
WFP pledged to continue working with Kyegegwa district local government and the farmers to ensure effective use of the store, and to train the farmers on quality management for improved household incomes.
