Officials from the State House Poverty Alleviation Department have launched an initiative to support selected farmers in Adjumani District in cultivating coffee and bananas for both commercial purposes and household consumption.
This intervention aims to enhance food security and income generation through the production of coffee and bananas.
Initially, twenty model farmers from three villages in Itirikwa Sub-County, recognized as a food basket in Adjumani District, have received assistance with land preparation, as well as coffee seedlings and banana suckers.
Joan Kakwenzire, head of the Poverty Alleviation Department at State House, stated that the department has provided these farmers with 4,500 banana suckers and 4,500 coffee seedlings to encourage commercial agriculture, thereby improving their livelihoods.
Stella Yamangusho, the Northern Region Coordinator for the Poverty Alleviation Department, revealed that an initial baseline survey indicated that, despite the availability of fertile agricultural land, most farmers in Adjumani District engage in agriculture mainly for subsistence.
“Before extending support to the beneficiaries, our team sensitised them on home hygiene management to ensure good health and clean homesteads,” Yamangusho explained.
Alice Nambi, a Monitoring Officer with the State House Poverty Alleviation Program in Northern Uganda, emphasized the importance of supporting farmers in transitioning to commercial agriculture.
“We are hopeful that the beneficiaries will make good use of what they have received so that the Poverty Alleviation Department can continue to support both current and future beneficiaries,” Nambi said.
Additionally, as part of the same poverty alleviation intervention, selected farmers in Adjumani District have received 415 local nanny and male cross goats to diversify their sources of income.
Adjumani Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Emmanuel Okawre, affirmed the Ugandan government’s commitment to improving citizens' livelihoods through commercial agriculture.
“The department’s efforts are part of Uganda's broader strategy to achieve sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all its citizens,” Okawre stated.
The State House Poverty Alleviation Department of Uganda is dedicated to reducing poverty and enhancing the livelihoods of citizens, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.