NAADS CONTRIBUTING TO ENHANCED FOOD SECURITY IN RESETTLING COMUNITIES
As peace has finally returned to Northern Uganda and communities are slowly settling down to agriculture, their immediate concern is re-establishment of food security. The NAADS programme which is operating in all the districts in the region, has embarked on a food security intervention to provide technologies to persons in the IDP camps and resettling communities in the districts of Kotido, Pader, Gulu, Adjumani, Kaberamaido, Kumi, Katakwi, Lira and Apac.
Since 2005, close to 1700 acres of land have been put to use in the IDPs camps in Northern and Eastern Uganda under the NAADS programme to promote Cassava, Beans, Sorghum, Groundnuts and Upland rice. NAADS established technology multiplications centres and provided farmers with training in the above districts to enable farmers multiply and access improved varieties of their staple food crops. In addition, technologies for selected enterprises have been strategically introduced and established to support kick-starting profitable agricultural production.
Currently, NAADS has continued to support farmers in the resettlement areas and guided them to choose enterprises that will yield highly in the short run and earn them income to consolidate their food security and increase their incomes.
Farmers have also benefited from the Integrated Support for Farmer Groups (ISFG) a revolving fund that enables groups to acquire technology inputs and establish farmer managed revolving funds.The technologies and other associated inputs are given to one person in the group, who is expected to pay back into the group account within a specified period of time. The funds are then used to purchase inputs for another member of the group until all members benefit. The ISFG scheme has enabled farmers to mobilise resources, keep records and manage the revolving scheme.
During a mini evaluation undertaken by NAADS, most of the farmer groups visited reported they were able to utilise and benefit from the technologies and expanded their production.
Helen Akello a resident of Purongo sub county 67kms south of Gulu town said her group Ribe Aye Teko received 72Kg of Superica II rice variety that they planted on two acres. “We followed the trainings from the service providers on management of the crop that is why we were able to harvest 30 bags,” said Akello.
When they milled their rice they got 25 bags, which they sold and fetched them Ushs1.6M. “We are going to reinvest this money in rice and hope to get bigger profit,” added Akello
Joina Auma of Kumi district was cheerful to declare that in 2005 during the planting season, they received improved seeds of sorghum, upland rice and short maturing groundnuts variety and were exposed to various improved agronomic practices under NAADS. Auma reports that they planted new groundnuts varieties serenut 2; 3 and 4 on a small acreage of land but they were surprised by their quick maturity and high yielding patterns. “We hope that poverty will be addressed in the shortest time possible,” said Auma.
In study carried out in 2006 to establish other areas of intervention for NAADS in Northern Uganda, the following areas were earmarked;
- Recovery of agricultural production with a focus on reinforcing of multiplication of planting material of staple food crops; and provision of farmer training and information.
- Rehabilitation – development of Capacity for improved agricultural production, with a focus on;
- Animal traction and restocking that is organize animal procurement
- Support to saving and investment capacity that is information and training
- Harmonising of NAADS with the National Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda, (PRDP) and other programmes.
As communities resettle, NAADS is also promoting the development of the value chain. Through the Private-Public Partnerships NAADS is working with other organizations in the sector to promote production, processing and marketing to enable farmers get better incomes.
