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Hoima ranked the best district in co-funding NAADS programme
By Ronald Kalyango
UNDER the NAADS programme, farmers and local governments are required to contribute matching funds in order to build a sense of ownership and sustainability for the programme. In the beginning, farmers were skeptical and could not comprehend the reasons behind co-funding since they were used to receiving from governments.
Government has since changed service delivery mechanisms and is working towards partnering with beneficiaries in the provision of services. Though a number of districts are still lagging behind in co-funding, some have registered success.
Last year Hoima district was ranked as the overall best performer in the co-funding of the programme, followed by Kabarole and Kitgum districts according to an assessment carried out by a NAADS Secretariat together with the local government.
Hoima district recorded well over 100% performance, the success is attributed to the level of commitment by district leaders towards the programme. The assistant Chief Administrative Officer was specifically designated to ensure that all local governments oblige. This is also due to the vigilance of the district leadership.
The district has put in place a system where sub-counties are expected to have set aside a quarterly release is made to them. The farmer leaders on their part have also been a strong force in mobilizing for funds. "The farmers are also being encouraged to contribute to all of the activities and services," indicated Billy Kyamulesire the chairman of the district farmers' forum.
He cited the example of Kiziranfumbi where the farmers contributed money to buy rice seeds. Voices from Mbarara district echo similar success stories. The district has been doing well in co-funding since the programme was launched in 2002.
Kashongi sub-county in whole district performed best with 100% co-funding at both sub-county and farmers level.
The farmers have also been encouraged by the services they have received under the programme. Co-funding has generally improved due to the visibility of the programme, through a number of Technology Development sites. The increase in technology development sites has in particular made a positive impact on the attitude and responsiveness of the farmers towards the programme.
However in Arua district the idea of co-funding was not easily accepted by farmers because they did not understand the purpose. “We felt, we were very poor and needed to be helped. How could the poor be asked to contribute?" Terezina Driciru, a female member of the of the Manimbe sub-county farmer forum noted.
A nother farmer, Faustine Atibuni said there was resistance when farmers were asked to co-fund. How could government ask farmers to contribute when the same government claimed to be eradicating poverty?" they queried. However after extensive sensitization, farmers later recognized that if they were to have sustainable economic base, they needed to collectively contribute to improving the livelihoods.
The continuous and constant farmer education and training from NAADS has made farmers appreciate the principle of co-funding. The farmers have come to understand that co-funding creates a sense of ownership and also enables them to take charge of solving their challenges. This in turn enables farmers to build capacity in managing their enterprises and ensures accountability. In Arua district farmers are now making their contributions willingly.
Equally important to note also is the fact that government through NAADS, has supported the setting up of technology Development and demonstration sites to multiply technologies and to enable farmers learn new skills.
These have been set up in different sub-counties for different enterprise for farmer training and multiplication of varieties. The demonstrations are hosted by different farmer groups selected by the sub-county farmers' forum and their survival also depends on the farmer's commitment towards them.
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