Ouni Editor
Two farmer groups in Dokolo South have received hand-held walking tractors to boost agricultural production.
Dokolo South MP Vincent Opito, in connection with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], delivered the tractors to the Young Farmers Group in Adeknino Sub-county and Note En Teko Women Group in Okwongodul Sub-county.
Opito, who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Climate Change, said he lobbied the Ministry for farm equipment and submitted a list of 10 farmer groups, including his own Yele Ikom Can Farmer Association [YECAFA], but the Ministry selected one youth group and one women group for this phase.
”This is a pilot project where 150 tractors are being distributed countrywide, so other groups will benefit in the next phase,” Opito said.
He cautioned the beneficiary groups against overcharging locals who may want to hire the equipment, warning that high charges would make the machines redundant.
”Don’t bring the culture of sharing dividends annually from this tractor, but save the money and make sure you develop and be able to take full responsibility for your homes,” he said.
Opito also noted that development should not be partisan, saying he is committed to serving everyone in Dokolo South regardless of political affiliation.
”Get what I am bringing even if you hate me, but first take it, use it and hate me later. Don’t hate the development coming in my regime,” he said.
On climate change, Opito urged the District Disaster Committee to compile a comprehensive report on its effects for presentation to government.
Meanwhile, Adeknino Sub-county LC3 Chairperson Michael Oleli applauded Opito for lobbying for the tractors, noting that farming remains the backbone of the country’s development. He urged beneficiaries to put the equipment to optimal use.
Julius Peter Odur, the LC3 chairperson of Okwongodul sub county and Lango sub region LC3 chairperson mouthpiece thanks MP Vincent Opito for the initiative that he said targets farmers who makes bigger percentage.
”I want to thank you and the government for considering my people of Okwongodul a sub county in the hidden and I pray for more services to keep coming” Odur explained.
Polly Ogili Jimmy, Chairperson of the Note En Teko Group in Okwongodul Sub-county, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dokolo South Member of Parliament Hon. Vincent Opito for lobbying the government to provide the group with a walking tractor.
She said the tractor would improve the group’s agricultural activities, adding that members would convene a meeting to establish guidelines on how best to manage and utilize the equipment for the benefit of all members.
Meanwhile, Okullo Francis, Chairperson of the Adeknino Young Farmers’ Group Association in Adeknino Sub-county, said the donated tractors would significantly improve agricultural production, particularly through ploughing gardens and preparing land for cultivation.
He noted that access to the tractors would ease farming activities, boost agricultural productivity and serve as an important tool in the fight against household poverty.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Dokolo District, Babra Akech, urged the beneficiary groups to use the tractors responsibly and strictly for their intended purpose.
Akech acknowledged the challenges affecting the implementation of some government programmes and pledged to monitor how the groups utilize the tractors to ensure that the equipment benefits the intended beneficiaries.
She emphasized that the government’s objective was to transform people’s livelihoods and ensure that communities rise out of poverty, urging the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity to improve their economic well-being.
The RDC also cautioned the groups against allowing individuals to monopolize or claim personal ownership of the tractors, stressing that the equipment should remain a shared resource used for the collective benefit of group members.
Akech further commended Hon. Vincent Opito for fulfilling his promise to the people of Dokolo South, particularly residents of Okwongodul and Adeknino sub-counties, through efforts that resulted in the provision of the agricultural equipment.
