By Okwir Haron
DOKOLO – The Office of the President, through Operation Wealth Creation [OWC], has delivered 40,000kg of hybrid maize seed to Dokolo District ahead of the 2026B planting season.
The distribution is part of the Production for Markets Initiative being implemented under the OWC–Equator Seeds Limited [ESL] Management Contract, aimed at increasing household incomes and commercializing agriculture in the district.
Speaking during the handover on Thursday, OWC Coordinator for Dokolo District, Maj. (Rtd) Tobias Alele, said the Government had observed that Northern Uganda continues to lag behind in agricultural productivity while poverty levels remain high.
He said the initiative is intended to increase production, improve household incomes and create opportunities for farmers to break the cycle of poverty.
Alele explained that the seeds will be distributed to registered cooperatives and farmer groups, which will bulk their produce for potential linkage to markets, including the National Enterprise Corporation under the Ministry of Defence and other investors.
Dokolo District Production Officer, Geoffrey Sam Okaka, confirmed that the district had received 40,000kg of hybrid maize seed and stressed that beneficiaries must belong to organized farmer groups.
He warned that the programme would not benefit careless farmers, urging selected beneficiaries to demonstrate commitment by planting the seeds and targeting high yields.
District LCV Chairperson, Peter Ogwang urged technical staff to ensure that the programme benefits farmers based on their production capacity rather than individual interests calling for the identification of capable farmers across all 14 sub-counties and urged the Production Department to work closely with extension workers.
Ogwang also warned against corruption, describing it as one of the major obstacles to the country’s development.
The Resident District Commissioner, Babra Akech, acknowledged that unfavourable weather conditions have continued to challenge farmers but stressed the need for strict adherence to the programme guidelines.
She proposed using cooperatives previously supported under the Agricultural Cluster Development Project (ACDP) to organise farmers and prepare them for the programme.
Akech also challenged the supplier to deliver the outstanding bean seed to enable farmers to catch up with the planting season.In response, a representative of Equator Seeds Limited pledged that the remaining bean seed would be delivered to Dokolo District on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
District leaders have urged beneficiaries to treat the maize seed as an economic opportunity, with expectations that increased production and proper marketing of the harvest will contribute significantly to household incomes and poverty reduction across Dokolo.
