Patrick Businge, the Ntoroko District Production Officer told the Uganda radio network that the district through the Local economic growth program support has launched a campaign to train at least 12 artificial insemination technicians to help th farmers transform from indigenous cattle to mixed breeds and improve on their dairy products.
The machine in Rwamabale was donated to the farmers by the National Agricultural Advisory Services - Naads in 2016 after the farmers requested the machine saying it will help them minimize the losses resulting from poor milk handling.
Police officers, who are majorly along the Ntoroko-Bundibuyo highway, are indiscriminately asking the people to clear the road and the places in its vicinity.
Two months ago, floods hit Ntoroko after Lake Albert burst its banks. The floods affected Kanara Town Council where it destroyed several homes, schools, health centers, and killed domestic animals among other things.
Flooding in the district is a perennial problem. However, it escalated at the start of this year when the lake burst its banks spilling water over 10 kilometres into communities. The most affected areas are Kanara Sub-county and Kanara Town Council.
The groups comprises of vanilla growers and other members of the community. They were formed in Karugutu town council and in the sub-counties of Nombe and Karugutu where vanilla thefts are rampant.
Currently, the farm gate price of the crop has fallen from 270, 000 shillings in the last harvesting season that ended in January this year, to 180,000 shillings. A kilogram of cured vanilla has reduce from USD 600 about 2.2 million shillings to USD 400 about 1.48 million and the prices are expected to drop further.
The construction of the Fort Portal- Bundibugyo- Lamia road has boosted business in areas where the road has been completed. Works on the 103 kilometre road started in 2010 and completion is expected to be next year. The road links Fort Portal to Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and then eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
