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Farmers seek investors to develop government cattle dip
What you need to know:
- Ban. Last year, a ban on sale of animals and their products in Namutumba District left sub-counties hit by foot and mouth disease with out revenue
- Prices. The contagious viral disease also forced upwards the prices of animal products.
The disease was first reported in September 2017 in Bulange and Namutumba sub-counties, leaving more than 100 animals dead, forcing the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry to issue a ban.
Farmers in Namutumba District are looking for investors to develop a cattle dip following government’s alleged failure to manage it seven years since it was commissioned.
The cattle dip which in Nakyere Village, Namutumba Sub-county in Namutumba District, was in 2012 constructed by government under the Community Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CAIIP) at a cost of Shs50 million.
The project was primarily undertaken to contain chemicals where animals are dipped to kill ticks and generate local revenue for the sub-county.
Farmers under Tufunvuwe Herds Farmers’ Group are demanding an explanation from district and government authorities on why the project sits idle.
Mr Wilson Mpata, the group chairperson, last week said if the district and government are not interested in the project, they should find an investor to manage it.
“We had hoped to fight cattle diseases caused by ticks through dipping the animals, but our dream has not been realised because the project has never resumed,” he added.
Government delays
Mr Peter Waiswa, one of the members, said: “The project worked for only two months after being commissioned and when the chemicals got finished, government has never refilled the tank.
“It now seems the reason why our parents gave away land to house both the dip tank and animal market has been in vain,” he said.
According to Mr Waiswa, residents donated land to house the dip tank because they were trekking with their animals to Kasita in Bugiri District, - a distance of 25 miles, - for treatment.
“The whole area has grown bushy, leaving us wondering what is lacking for the project to resume,” he added.
Fears
Mr George Muwanika, a resident, fears that since the area has become bushy, the structure could be harbouring thieves and wild animals.
Mr George Lubera, the Namutumba Sub-county LC3 chairperson, blamed the district veterinary officer, Mr Bernard Ngago, for not reminding the Ministry of Agriculture about the project adding that their only option could be finding an investor.
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Ngago, were futile as his known telephone contact was off by press time.
Background
Ban. Last year, a ban on sale of animals and their products in Namutumba District left sub-counties hit by foot and mouth disease with out revenue.
Prices. The contagious viral disease also forced upwards the prices of animal products.
The disease was first reported in September 2017 in Bulange and Namutumba sub-counties, leaving more than 100 animals dead, forcing the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry to issue a ban.
