Eight farmer groups in Kisoro District have received climate-smart farming equipment and agricultural inputs worth Shs259.2 million under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project.
The support, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), is aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening climate resilience and increasing household incomes among farmers.
The beneficiaries include four apiary groups and four coffee farming groups. The beekeeping groups include Kirundo Bee Keepers, Chintale Bee Keepers and Kasemisego Bee Keepers, while the coffee farmer groups include Gatete Coffee Farmers, Bukerahe Coffee Farmers and Muramba Coffee Farmers, among others.
The equipment provided includes wheelbarrows, organic fertilisers, modern beehives, protective gear, farm sprayers, bee smokers, sieves, bee gloves and other agricultural tools.
Apiary equipment accounted for Shs149.7 million, while coffee farming inputs were valued at Shs109.4 million.
The project is being implemented under a co-funding arrangement where the government contributes 80 percent of the cost, while beneficiaries provide 20 percent to encourage ownership and sustainability.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Kisoro District headquarters, District Agricultural Officer Harriet Mutuzo said the initiative marked the first phase of the project rollout in the district.
"This project will later be extended to Chahi, Chahafi Town Council, Kirundo, Central Division, Southern Division, Murora and other areas," Mutuzo said.
Kisoro Assistant Resident District Commissioner John Nizeyimana urged beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by adopting modern farming practices and improving production.
He said the government had played its role by providing agricultural inputs and wealth creation programmes, and it was now the responsibility of farmers to use the support effectively to increase their incomes.
Kisoro District LCV Chairperson Richard Ndyana encouraged farmer groups to properly manage the equipment to improve production and contribute to the district's economic growth.
"Higher farm earnings will help families pay school fees and improve their living standards," Ndyana said.
District Production Officer Richard Abomugisha revealed that more than 270 farmer groups in Kisoro have been earmarked to benefit from the project.
He encouraged farmers to embrace climate-smart and modern agricultural practices as a way of increasing yields, improving profitability and adapting to changing weather conditions.
The Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project is designed to strengthen farmers' resilience to climate change, enhance productivity, promote sustainable farming practices and contribute to poverty reduction through agriculture.
