BY ISAAC MUMBERE
Farmers in Kasese district have advised to adopt the organic farming practices in an attempt to enhance crop yields, improve soil health and increase their incomes.
The advice was sounded yesterday afternoon by the Deputy RDC in-charge of Bukonzo County, Lt. Maate Magwara while addressing Trainers of trainees of farmers on the organic farming practices.
They were being trained by Great Lake Organic Farmers at Xacks Courts in Kisinga Town Council.
Magwara, who hailed the organization for promoting organic farming that restricts farmers from using chemicals, stressed that the rate of stunted growth among children in Kasese could be as a result of the foods that they eat. According to him, such foods could have grown with the help of chemicals sprayed onto them.
Longino Masereka Kyakora, the Executive Director of Great Lakes Organic Farmers’ Association, commended the government for the initiatives put in place that are aimed at boosting agriculture.
Mr. Kyakora, however, said that in addition to the funds given to the farmers under the Parish Development Model (PDM) programme, government needs to devise means of buying machines and supply them to the farmers for use as way of adding value to the agricultural produce.
Mr. Charles Kahitison, the Chairperson Board of Directors for Great Lakes Organic Farmers Association who also doubles as the Nyakabingo Sub-county Chairperson, observed the need for the trainees to go on ground and sensitize the farmers especially the youth to embrace the organic farming practices for their associated benefits.
Some of the trainees who described the training as timely pledged to encourage the farmers in their respective areas to promote organic farming.