Kenneth Omona, the Minister of State for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation has urged farmers in Agoro Sub-county, Lamwo District, to shift from growing annual crops to high-value perennial crops as the rehabilitation of the Agoro Irrigation Scheme nears completion.
Omona expresses concern over the local varieties of crops currently being cultivated by farmers within the irrigation blocks, arguing that many of them may not significantly improve household incomes.
The irrigation scheme, which in the past was largely used for rice growing, has in recent years seen many farmers shift to crops such as maize and vegetables following persistent challenges in water distribution to some farmlands.
Omona notes that the improved water availability under the rehabilitated scheme presents a major opportunity for farmers to venture into more profitable crops such as coffee and cocoa, which attract better prices on the market.
According to the minister, transitioning to perennial cash crops would improve household welfare and increase farmers’ earnings in the long term. He has also tasked agricultural extension workers in Agoro Sub-county to intensify the sensitization of farmers on modern farming practices to enable them to achieve higher yields and better quality produce for competitive markets.
By URN
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