Farmers in Rukungiri District are set to benefit from 900 bags of Organic New Earth (O.N.E) manure supplied under a government-supported agricultural programme being implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Each bag weighs 50 kilogrammes, with the government meeting 70 percent of the cost while beneficiary farmers are required to contribute the remaining 30 percent. The farmers’ contribution has been set at Shs54,000 per bag, although the ministry is yet to issue clear guidance on where and how the payments will be made.
Rukungiri District LC5 Chairperson Charles Andrewson Katebire welcomed the programme, saying it could help farmers access agricultural inputs at a reduced cost. However, he appealed to the government to reconsider the contribution required from farmers.
Katebire said the Shs54,000 contribution could still be difficult for some farmers to raise, particularly those operating on a small scale. He urged the government to explore ways of reducing the financial burden on beneficiaries so that more farmers can participate.
During the handover ceremony at the district headquarters, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom encouraged farmers to use the manure according to the recommended guidelines to ensure that the input delivers the intended benefits.
Ahimbisibwe also called on agricultural extension workers to prioritise farmer training alongside distribution. He said farmers need practical guidance on application methods, quantities and timing to prevent misuse and maximise the impact of the manure.
Karembe Mbabazi, Principal Consultant at Dei-Bio Pharma, said the initiative follows a government directive aimed at supporting farmers involved in coffee, tea, cocoa and horticultural production. He explained that the manure is intended to improve soil fertility and contribute to better agricultural productivity.
Mbabazi added that agricultural extension workers in Rukungiri and other beneficiary districts will receive training to enable them to properly guide farmers on how to apply the manure. The programme is expected to lower input costs while improving soil health and supporting productivity among farmers in key agricultural sectors.
