By Tasia Doreen

Moyo

Dr. Moriku Joyce Kaducu, The state minister for primary education who also doubles as Moyo district Woman Member Of Parliament, has called upon the farmers under the Parish Development Model (PDM) to consider venturing in sub projects that have markets for their produce.  The call was made during a recent field monitoring on the progress of PDM activities in Moyo town council and Moyo Sub Counties.

The joint monitoring that comprised of elected sub county leaders, parish chiefs and town agents was led Moyo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr. Gorre Coffin.

According to the RDC, the monitoring is to motivate and encourage the farmers to work hard to eradicate poverty at household levels, but also to identify some of the challenges affecting the implementation of the projects. The RDC said there are some positive progress among the farmers amidst other hiccups such as delayed payments of the money to the beneciaries. He also disclosed that the district has received more funds promised by the government to support Sacco accounts to improve their livelihoods.

Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, The state minster for primary education appreciated the farmers for investing the money into projects but expressed concerns over the monopolization in certain type of sub projects chosen by most of the beneficiaries. “I see most of the farmers have ventured in poultry farming and piggery which is very good but I want to request them to diversify in order to fit in the market.” she remarked .

However, the minster also noted that some people are still keeping the money in their accounts which is a challenge, adding that the youth involvement in the PDM program is still low urging the youth to engage in the SACCO groups so as to benefit from the project. She tasked the parish chiefs and town agents to continuously monitor the farmers in order to identify their challenges for proper implementation.

But Mr. Mawadri Thomas, the PDM chairperson Opi parish in Moyo Sub County Moyo district, said that the choice of enterprise selection by the farmers has been affected by the lack of knowledge, skills and advisory services to the farmers, and also delay in disbursement of funds to implement their sub projects. “Some of the farmers had planned to plant certain crops but the process of money delays, forcing them to change their minds on different enterprises ’’, he said.

Moyo district received four billion eight hundred nineteen million seven hundred sixty five thousand nine hundred and five shillings that was launched officially on Friday 21/07/23.

COVER PHOTO: Minister Moriku in a vegetable garden in Moyo town council. By Tasia Doreen