Rukungiri Farmers to Benefit From 900 Bags of Government-Supported Manure

Rukungiri District has received 900 bags of Organic New Earth (O.N.E) manure for distribution to farmers under a government programme being implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Each bag contains 50 kilogrammes. The government is covering 70 percent of the cost, while beneficiary farmers are expected to contribute the remaining 30 percent, equivalent to Shs54,000 per bag.

However, the ministry has not yet communicated official guidelines on where and how farmers will make their contribution.

Rukungiri District LC5 Chairperson Charles Andrewson Katebire welcomed the programme but appealed to the government to consider reducing the farmers’ contribution, saying Shs54,000 could be unaffordable for some farmers.

“We welcome this programme, but Shs54,000 may be too much for some of our farmers,” Katebire said.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the district headquarters, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom urged farmers to use the manure properly and follow the recommended application guidelines.

Ahimbisibwe also called on agricultural extension workers to ensure that farmers are trained in the proper use of the manure rather than simply distributing it.

He said proper training would help farmers get the maximum benefit from the input and avoid misuse.

Meanwhile, Karembe Mbabazi, Principal Consultant at Dei-Bio Pharma, said the programme follows a government directive to provide fertilisers to farmers engaged in coffee, tea, cocoa and horticultural production.

Mbabazi said the manure is intended to improve soil fertility and that extension workers in Rukungiri and other beneficiary districts would be trained to guide farmers on its proper application.

“Manure is intended to improve soil fertility, and extension workers in Rukungiri and other beneficiary districts will be trained to guide farmers on its proper use,” Mbabazi said.

The programme is intended to support farmers by reducing the cost of agricultural inputs while promoting improved soil fertility and productivity in key agricultural sectors.