Government sets up demonstration farms in Karamoja to modernise agricultural

The Government of Uganda through Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF) III partnered with Agromax to create demonstration farms in the districts of Karamoja to train the community in different techniques. To improve the welfare of persons through modernized agriculture. 

The Settlement Based Development Initiative(SBDI) drew inspiration from an Israel farming practice code-named "Sharing Life Together." 

"In Israel, the Israeli settle in one area around the farm settlement it is those people who provide labour to the farm's that are near their premises," said Peter Garang the project Manager SBDI Moroto. 

"And whatever comes out of the farm they share it equally. That is how sharing life comes in. There is no boss or there is no any other small person."

Starting with a pilot project in the district of Nakapiripirit on the 19th of February 2019. Moroto opened its doors to the project in October 2020 Lokeriaut village, Nadunget sub-county. 

According to Mr Garang Peter the Manager of Agromax in Moroto, they are working with 200 families so far and paying each individual UGX 5,500 per day for the 54 days each person works in a cycle. 

Garang says the community is the source of labour at the demonstration farm, "they are registered as families. So we have 200 families which are the source of labour for the SBDI project." 

Of the 500 acres set aside for the demonstration farm, 180 acres has so far been utilised by four different enterprises currently running; maize, vegetables, fruits, and apiary. With maize enjoying the largest portion of land, 80 acres.