KAMPALA, Uganda-Six districts in Acholi sub- region (Northern Uganda) are to benefit from the $150m World Bank funded Project currently being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries.
The Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) is set to benefit over 42 districts across Uganda.
In Acholi sub-region, the districts of Amuru, Gulu, Pader, Kitgum Agago and Nwoya are expected to benefit from the project through an e-voucher system where farmers will receive subsidized agro inputs with an aim of raising farm production and productivity.
This was revealed by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Hon. Christopher Kibanzanga while officiating at the project launch in Amuru District. According to Hon. Kibanzanga, Amuru district is one of the five districts where the ACDP project will be piloted across Uganda.
“I want to inform you that this project is for you Ugandans, let us not fail it. We need to ensure that famers benefit from it. It is the reason why I and my teams are here today. We want to consult you and work with you from the very beginning,” the Minister emphasized.
Kibanzanga explained that the project is designed to raise on farm productivity and marketable volumes of selected agriculture commodities in in specified geographical parts of the country in different clusters.
The Minister said the four clusters will be distributed as follows: Amuru and, Ntungumo for Rice, Nebei for Cassava, and Iganga for Maize and Kalunga for coffee.
ACDP will be rolling out a subsidy programme where farmers will be expected to co-fund for the purchase of inputs. In the first season, the farmer will contribute 33% of the cost of inputs while the project will contribute 67%;
In the Second season both farmers and the project will contribute equally i.e. 50:50; in the third season, the farmer will contribute 67% and project 33%. It is expected that by the fourth season, the farmer will have matured to take up full cost of his/her inputs.
The project ACDP projects aims at empowering the local people economically through increased household Income emanating from increased agricultural production.
The key instrument that will be utilized for the delivery of the ACDP subsidy programme is the highly effective ICT system known as the e-voucher system where farmers will access the inputs electronically.
