By Doreen Tasia 

Thirty-seven farmer groups in Itirikwa and Ukusijoni sub-counties in Adjumani District have received a new Holland tractor 75 horse, to support agricultural production and improve access to mechanized farming services.

The tractor was procured under the Eco Food Uganda project, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive Agri-food supply chains while improving food security and livelihoods among smallholder producers, women and people with disabilities.

The Ugx 8.8 billion Eco Food Uganda project is being implemented by Christian Blind Mission International (CBM), CEFORD, NUDIPU, and EAEA with funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

During the commissioning of the tractor on October 6th 2026, Kitz Detros, the Interim Country Director Christian Blind Mission, revealed that besides promoting agricultural transformation, the project also encourages equality and inclusion.

“The CBM is committed to improving the lives of persons living with disabilities through this project together with our partners, we are not only bringing here the innovations and transformative value chain but also looking at the person with disability enjoying the rights and access to the services,” Kitz Detros said.

The tractor is expected to ease the burden of manual land preparation, enable farmers to prepare their gardens on time and increase agricultural productivity in the two sub-counties.

Edema Richard, the Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, urged the tractor management committee to ensure its safety.

“First I want to thank CEFORD for the intervention, and to the committee chairperson, I urge you to be serious with the job as far as the asset is concerned, make sure it is protected with the required level so that we see improved livelihood,” he emphasized.

Mawe Robert, the Secretary for Production, reminded the partners of the need for Agro- industrialization.

“Am appealing to the consortium to also see the aspect of Agro industrialization ,I will be very happy if the production here is being processed so that we see economic transformation especially for sunflower and soya ,we can always find a place for such establishments,” Mawe noted.

Emmanuel Okware, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, pledged support in the implementation of the project.

“We appreciate the people who sat and developed this concept of 2.5 M Euros project which is being implemented in the two sub counties which I think is a big commitment to increasing productivity and income  among youths ,women and persons with disabilities, we shall continue supporting in ensuring the success of the project,” said Okware.

Achen Dorcus, the Chairperson Atidrira Sunflower Farmers Group In Itirikwa Sub County, explained that access to the tractor could help reduce dependence on traditional methods of land preparation, which are often labor-intensive and time-consuming.

“We thank the partners for the support and we pray that the almighty God blessed them with more resources, our remaining challenge now as sunflower growers is the lack of proper storage facility,” she noted.

The members from 37 farmer groups growing sunflower soya beans and maize under the project will access the tractor at a fee of 60,000 shillings.

In West Nile, the project is being implemented by the Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD) in Adjumani District.

The wider project also covers parts of the Lango sub-region, including: Alito and Okweridot Sub Counties in Kole District, as well as Ayami and Ogur sub-counties in Lira District.

End.