The Bishop of West Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev Julius Caesar Nina, has said the partnership between the Church of Uganda and the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS) in agronomic practices will transform the Lango sub-region from a subsistence economy to a commercial hub.
While commissioning a training program of project beneficiaries in agronomic practices/animal husbandry on Tuesday at St Peter’s Cathedral, Aduku in Kwania district, he vowed to utilize the support of NAADS to boost commercial farming in the region.
“People in Lango sub-region are good at keeping many things. They grow different crops and rear different animals but many don’t know what farm practice is of great market value,” he said.
He added, “NAADS gave us 200 piglets because their multiplication rate is high and have a high market value. We are not raring for us to eat pork every day. It is to multiply them, sell and have enough money to transform our households.”
He lauded the government for being supportive, noting that through NAADS they have so far received a tractor, 40 in-calf Friesian heifers, and 200 piglets.
“Apac District Local Government supported us to plant matooke, over 5 acres of coffee and we shall be growing hash avocados. We want to continue partnering with the government to turn this region into a commercial agriculture hub,” he stated.
He revealed that NAADS has also promised them kuroilers and fish for their fish farming project.
He said the diocese has a farm, which they named Jubilee farm, which sits on over 85 acres in Kaisa, Akokoro sub-county in Apac District, and is well managed by a team commissioned by the Diocesan Council.
“In this farm, all our Parishes buy cows and goats and rear them there to generate income. All the 40 in-calf Friesian heifers we received were taken there to multiply and be distributed to several beneficiaries. The 200 piglets were distributed to the intended beneficiaries,” Nina said.
Rev. Robert Edinga, the Diocesan Secretary commended the government for supporting religious leaders in the area to boost their livelihoods.
“The government has been supporting several organizations and communities but religious leaders were not targeted directly for that support. I am very grateful that this project is uniquely designed to support religious leaders, congregations and communities. We will monitor this project closely to ensure that it serves the intended purpose,” he said.
He said they expect that in a period of six months, the piglets given to beneficiaries will have produced and given back to the Diocese which will identify the next line of beneficiaries.
Irene Anena, the Acting Director of Household and Community Transformation in the Church of Uganda, called upon participants to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to them as beneficiaries of the project as their commitment towards this phase will not only transform their community socially and economically but will also encourage other dioceses to replicate.
She later handed over an assortment of gumboots and umbrellas to support the Diocesan technical people in monitoring the project at the community level.
A similar training was later held at St Thomas Church of Uganda Apac Archdeaconry headquarters in Apac District, Aboke Archdeaconry Headquarters in Kole district and Oyam Archdeaconry Headquarters in Oyam district.
