Farmers in Kayunga District have been warned to prepare for increasingly unpredictable weather conditions characterized by erratic and intermittent rainfall that could negatively affect agricultural production.
The warning was issued during the distribution of the second batch of hoes to sub-county chiefs at the Kayunga District headquarters, where district leaders also called for stronger efforts to combat corruption in government programmes aimed at improving livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, District Production Officer Charles Yiga cautioned that changing weather patterns could significantly reduce crop yields if farmers fail to adopt appropriate farming practices.
“The current weather conditions are unreliable and could negatively affect crop production. Farmers should regularly consult agricultural experts and extension workers for guidance on suitable crops and farming methods to minimize losses,” Yiga said.
He noted that climate-related challenges continue to threaten food production and household incomes, making it necessary for farmers to embrace modern and climate-smart agricultural practices.
“Weather patterns have drastically changed in Kayunga District, partly due to extensive tree cutting for sugarcane cultivation. As tree cover declines, rainfall patterns are also affected,” Yiga explained.
Meanwhile, the Resident District Commissioner, Jimmy Nsimbi Mugwanya, warned civil servants and members of the public against corruption, saying it undermines government efforts to fight poverty.
“Government is investing significant resources to uplift households from poverty. Anyone found diverting, misusing, or stealing resources meant for the community will be apprehended and prosecuted,” Mugwanya warned.
He urged local leaders to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of government programmes and the distribution of agricultural inputs.
District Chairperson Andrew Muwonge appealed to residents to fully embrace government wealth-creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, saying they provide an opportunity to improve household incomes and food security.
“I encourage our people to take advantage of government programmes such as PDM and Emyooga. Let us also make proper use of the hoes and other resources being distributed so that we can increase production, improve household incomes, and strengthen food security in our communities,” Muwonge said.
He emphasized that effective utilization of government support programmes would help households combat poverty and reduce the risk of food shortages resulting from poor harvests caused by erratic weather.
The leaders made the remarks as district authorities dispatched hoes to all sub-counties for distribution to farmers as part of ongoing efforts to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods across Kayunga District.
The distribution is part of President Museveni’s nationwide initiative to provide hoes to farmers as a means of supporting agricultural production and helping households overcome persistent poverty.
Kayunga District has received an additional 50,000 hoes under the second phase of the programme, which have been dispatched to sub-counties for distribution to farmers at the grassroots level.