The state minister for Karamoja Affairs Hon Florence Wamala Nambozo and the Director of Defense Public Information Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye visited Nabuin ZARDI this week as part of the UPDF media engagement with stakeholders in Karamoja subregion.
The purpose of the visit was to document positive narrative on good works, services and prospects in order to appreciate and promote the sub region in the transformative journey. At NARO Nabuin ZARDI, the team was interested in documenting Agricultural Research impact to the region, especially, the extent promoted modern Agriculture Technologies and farming practices are transforming lives in the Karamoja subregion.
Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye was taken through proven and recommended short maturing drought tolerant and high yielding crop technologies that Nabuin ZARDI is promoting in Karamoja sub region.
These include green gram (NAROGram2 that matures in 60 days. Maize MM3 that is drought tolerant with a good recovery ability, high yielding and matures in 90 days. The biofortified sorghum NAROsorgh2, drought tolerant and highly desired for food and brew in Karamoja. And, NAROsorgh4 that is disease and drought tolerant and short maturity.
Other crops include, cowpeas, beans and cassava. These crop varieties are adapted to Karamoja climate and are performing well and transforming lives in Karamoja.
Last season, Nabuin ZARDI distributed over two tons of quality seed to farmers. The seed of green gram, sorghum and maize were distributed to farmers, courtesy of the community seed production project funded by the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs. With the dawn of mechanization of agriculture in Karamoja, the presence of large crop fields is now a common sight in the communities. And Karamoja is taking positive steps towards becoming a food secure region.
Also, Nabuin ZARDI is promoting improved livestock breeds to farmers, through Artificial insemination and conservative breeding methods. Improving livestock breeds along with enhancing dry season feeding technologies are inclined to increase the productivity of milk and beef in Karamoja for increased food and incomes.
Farmers are embracing breed improvement through artificial insemination, and Nabuin ZARDI is now equipped with necessary tools and expertise to support farmers with artificial insemination services. Nabuin is also building capacity of farmers especially the Karacunas (young men) into commercial bee keeping and aquaculture. In addition, Nabuin ZARDI is also distributing seedlings of value perennial trees that include dates, olives and coffee to youth and women to widen their livelihood options.