Part of the plots abandoned by farmers. Photo by Chris Woo.

By Chris Woo

Oyam

Nearly 50% of farmers at Tochi Irrigation Scheme in Oyam district have abandoned their plots due to a number of challenges.

This was revealed at the stakeholders meeting held at Tochi Irrigation scheme with parliamentary committee on Agriculture during their visits recently.

Agnes Linda Auma Chairperson Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture said they have realized a number of challenges at this scheme including insufficient knowledge among farmers and district leaders on this project and rats which are destroying farmers’ rice among others that needs to be addressed.

She further appealed to farmers who have already abandoned over 900 plots to resume the scheme as they plan for other interventions

Benson Dilla the LC5 chairperson of Oyam however appreciated government for this important project however he further appealed to MPs to consider making a law that regulates buying and selling of seeds and other agricultural inputs.

George Okello chairperson Tochi irrigation farmers’ cooperative society said despite these challenges some farmers are still getting at least 21 million shillings annually, calling for access roads at the scheme, toilets facilities, millers ,induction training and PDM funds to boost their finances .