In a call for deliberate interventions to boost food security, President Museveni has approved the plan to empower Uganda Prisons Services, National Enterprise Corporation , Uganda People’s Defense Forces, and big farmers in Northern Uganda and other areas to engage in large-scale food production.
In a letter copied to the Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, these farming entities in different parts of the country with reasonably big piece of land will start this initiative to produce food on a large scale effective next season of August 2022.
“I have received your letter of the 13th of July, 2022, regarding the need for deliberate interventions to boost food security. I totally agree and approve of your plan to assist Prisons, NEC, UPDF and big farmers in Northern Uganda and other areas to engage in large-scale production, “said Museveni in a letter seen by Ug Mirror
Museveni directed the whole government, starting with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, to implement this plan by providing agricultural machinery, seeds, fertilizers and equipment for irrigation.
“Also prepare all the necessary anti-pests measures to protect these crops,”said Museveni.
According to the Minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze, these strategic interventions will help supplement production of small holder farmers under Parish Development Module and thus increase the collective national crop yields to secure both food for human consumption & feeds for animals respectively.
Currently, media reports show that food insecurity in many areas of Karamoja region continues to worsen and that many are losing lives due to famine.
The region has experienced harsh drought and last year witnessed damaging floods and landslides.
There have also been plagues of locusts and army worms, and raids by heavily-armed cattle thieves which have left little to eat.