Farmers Urged to Embrace Modern Post harvest Handling Practices

By Communications office

Ntungamo 

Farmers in Ntungamo Sub County have been urged to embrace modern post-harvest handling practices in a bid to get better quality produce and better prices.

The call was made by Albert Mugabe the Ntungamo district production officer while speaking to local leaders during a one day sensitization workshop on the Agriculture Cluster Development Program at Ntungamo district council hall.

Mugabe revealed that poor handling of produce after harvest has been a serious challenge as this has always had negative effects on the quality and the quantity of the produce.

Agriculture Cluster Development is an intervention funded by the government of Uganda and the World Bank that seeks to increase production through providing subsidized inputs for the farmers.

Agriculture Cluster Development Program is a six year project   funded by the Government of Uganda and the World Bank.

The program focuses on the five (5) priority crops which include Beans, Rice, Cassava Coffee and Maize.

Isaac Kanyamahane the deputy resident district commissioner for Ntungamo district called on the technocrats to ensure that councilors are engaged in the planning and implementation of the project if the intended objectives are to be realized.

He further called for emphasis to be put on re-orienting the mindset of the youth so that they develop a positive attitude towards Agriculture.

Ntungamo district chairperson Denis Singhahache says that the district’s biggest challenge has been theft of food and livestock.

Singaahache says that there is a cross section of locals who shun work and only target the produce of those involved in active production

According to Sabiiti, Ntungamo district will spear head the project in cluster 12 of the project which include Kabale,Ntungamo,Isingiro and Bushenyi.

He says that Ntungamo district will focus on coffee and beans.

Juliet Mpamize the secretary for community based service called on the leaders in the district to embrace farmer mobilization in a bid to ensure increased production and food security.

Farmers,Local leaders ,Extension workers and the top district leadership.