Uganda maize farmers in Busoga get equipment

Monday June 13, 2011

Five Uganda farmer associations in Luuka district have been boosted with post-harvest handling equipment to improve the maize value-chain. The move is expected to increase farmers’ market access opportunities.

Each farmer group was supported with a set of mobile-motorised-sheller complete with an engine, three large turplins, two raised trays and a weighing scale.

The equipment will be used by the 50 members in each group to improve the quality of maize grain.

About 250 households have so far benefited from the project, Joseph Kyegombe, the programme manager, said.

He said the equipment was part of the World Food Programme purchase-for-progress initiative.
He said the initiative supports 1,500 farmers in Jinja, Mayuge, Luuka and Mayuge.

“Maize farmers in Busoga used traditional means of post-harvesting. They produced the dirtiest grain. They ended up not getting market for their grain,” Kyegombe said. He said farmer organisations had received technical and financial support.

“They have received major training in maize post-harvest systems, post-harvest food loss prevention, drying and threshing methods and storage and agronomy; land selection and preparation,” Kyegombe told the local officials.

The New Vision Newspaper