The concern was raised by the Ibanda District Production Officer, Peter Bwengye Abaho, who said the district has repeatedly missed out on major government-funded agricultural projects despite agriculture remaining the backbone of the local economy.
According to Abaho, Ibanda has not benefited from programmes such as the Agricultural Climate Smart Transformation Project and the Agriculture Cluster Development Project, leaving many farmers without access to improved farming technologies, quality inputs and other forms of government support.
"Ibanda District has not always been prioritised when it comes to benefiting from government agricultural programmes. We have been left out of important projects like the Agricultural Climate Smart Transformation Project and the Agriculture Cluster Development Project, yet our farmers need these interventions just as much as those in other districts," Abaho said.
He noted that the absence of such programmes has limited farmers' ability to improve productivity, strengthen resilience and adapt to the growing effects of climate change.
"If our farmers were supported through these programmes, they would increase production, improve the quality of their agricultural enterprises and earn better incomes. These interventions have transformed agriculture in other districts, and we believe Ibanda deserves the same opportunity," he added.
Abaho called on the Ministry of Agriculture to adopt a more inclusive and equitable approach when selecting beneficiary districts for national agricultural programmes.
"We are appealing to the government to ensure fairness in the allocation of agricultural projects. Every district should have an equal opportunity to benefit because agriculture is the main source of livelihood for our people," he said.
Agriculture remains the leading economic activity in Ibanda District, with the majority of households relying on crop and livestock farming for both food security and household income. Local leaders argue that extending government agricultural interventions to the district would increase production, improve food security, strengthen climate resilience and enhance rural livelihoods.
The leaders are now urging the Ministry of Agriculture to prioritise Ibanda in future agricultural projects, saying inclusive investment in all farming communities is essential to achieving Uganda's broader goals of agricultural modernisation, increased productivity and sustainable rural development.