By Christopher Nyeko
GULU: The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has provided a total of 17,920 Hass avocado seedlings to the Gulu avocado growers’ cooperative society.
The seedlings were delivered in April of this year.
The chairperson of the Gulu Avocado Growers Cooperative Society, Gabriel Lajul, says they have so far distributed 10,000 of the 17,920 that were received.
The registered farmers are paying 2,000 shillings for each seedling, while non-registered members of the cooperative are paying 2,500 shillings.
The charge is meant to cover the cost of transporting the seedlings from Mayuge District.
The Gulu avocado growers’ cooperative society has a total of 75 members spread across the Acholi subregion.
About 20 million Hass avocado seedlings have reportedly been distributed to thousands of farmers across the Acholi subregion since 2020.
Gulu district is leading in Hass avocado growing, followed by Nwoya, Amuru, Omoro, Lamwo, Agago, and Kitgum.
Lajul encourages the framers who have already received the seedlings to plant them in time. Lajul also urges the farmers to always seek advisory services from the agricultural extension workers in their areas to enable them to benefit from the seedlings.
The Gulu City Mayor, Alfred Okwonga, recently noted that it is only through massive embracement of the growing of cash crops such as coffee, avocado, macadamia, and cashew nuts that Acholi people can overcome poverty.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Alfonse Owinyi Dollo, through his foundation, is promoting the growing of the macadamia nut, where he pledges to inject money into procuring seedlings.
Dr. Hillary Agaba, the Director of Research at the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), says the ministry is currently raising millions of avocado seedlings over the next 12 months, which will be given out to farmers at a subsidized fee.
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