ESAFF Uganda, a small-scale farmer-led movement in collaboration with GIZ, has supplied gadgets and tools to track smallholder farmers’ investment activities with district leadership.
Hakim Baliraine, the Chairperson of the South Africa Small Scale Farmer’s Forum (ESAFF), stated at the presentation of Compliance Investment Monetary Tools to Gomba district officials on Wednesday that the tools will foster harmony among district leaders and communities.
“We are working closely with GIZ, and we are committed to continuing to support the local government with tools that track investment compliance; the tool will be able to provide feedback to leaders in the realization of the Parish Development Model (PDM) objectives,” he said.
Baliraine highlighted that they are collaborating with farmer groups across the country to establish connections between farmers and partners such as GIZ.
He stated that PDM is dealing with a political issue that CSOs do not support.
Martin Kizito, the district planner, praised ESAFF and GIZ for the various trainings that involved leaders and farmers.
“We expected a lot from you as a civil society organization (CSO), and as a local government, we are here to implement government programs for its people, including the PDM.” “We need to see how you streamline the PDM in your commitment,” he said.
Kizito stated that the PDM is anticipated to cover 35% of those outside the money economy.
Winnie Kyobutungi, the District Natural Resources Officer, stated that the collaboration is opportune because farmers are overusing pesticides and forbidden farming gear.
“Farmers in Gomba have abandoned mechanized tools in favor of the lazy approach of using looming fake chemicals on the market to solve immediate problems.” “GIZ should also assist with issues of quality and mindset change,” she added.
Kyobutungi noted that the instruments might aid in the formation of a government, something the PDM is failing to do because some farmers find starting a business prohibitively expensive due to land fragmentation.
