Gov’t Announces Distribution of Coffee and Tea Seedlings

Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Kyakulaga Fred Bwino

 

Government has announced plans of distribution of coffee and Tea seedlings to farmers for the season of September to December in 16 districts.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Kyakulaga Fred Bwino revealed the plan regarding distribution of seedlings, seeds, stocking materials and other agricultural inputs in his address at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday 29^th 2022.

This follows the reassurance by the Minister of Finance, Hon Matia Kasaija to release shs.30 billion towards the supply of seedlings of coffee and Tea to farmers.

“The beneficiary farmers are advised to use simple technology like watering can or jerry cans to water the seedlings and ensure their maximum survival,” he said.

Minister Kyakulaga further said that the distribution exercise will be conducted by NAADS and the exercise will start in 16 districts including, Buwheju, Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kyenjojo, Zombo, Rukiga, Kabale, Kanungu, Kikuube, Rwampara, among others.

He indicated that the exercise coverage for coffee is 126 districts and UCDA has in place a list of certified and verified suppliers.

“PDCs and PDM-SACCOs will identify the farmers whose readiness (digging of holes) will be ascertained by UCDA extension workers, sub county extension workers and OWC following existing SOPs by 5^th October,” he stated.

“Having established the demand and the source, UCDA through the regional officers will issue LPOs according to established threshold to certified and verified nursery operators by 10^th October, 2022,” Kyakulaga added.

He added that NAADS will be tasked to work with District Production Officers (DPOs) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) to verify the nurseries following a standard verification format.

Hon MPs, RDC/RCCs, District Chairpersons/Mayors, and CAOs are requested to closely monitor this exercise and ensure that the stipulated timelines are strictly adhered.