Ngora County Member of Parliament, Hon. Juliet Achayo Lodou, has urged farmers in Ngora District and the wider Teso sub-region to abandon subsistence farming in favor of commercial agriculture as a long-term strategy to eradicate poverty.
Hon. Achayo made this rallying call on Monday while distributing five tonnes of improved maize seeds to farmers in Kaderun Parish, Atoot Sub-county.
The donation is part of her ongoing efforts to boost food security and transform rural livelihoods through agriculture.
In her remarks, Achayo expressed concern over the high poverty levels in Teso, which she attributed in part to the persistence of subsistence agriculture, a practice that provides barely enough for families to eat, let alone sell or save.
She emphasized that meaningful development in Teso would remain elusive unless farmers began to think beyond producing for their own consumption.
“Majority of our people are still engaged in subsistence farming, which has not helped in lifting them out of poverty,” Achayo said.
“Through commercial agriculture, farmers will produce in bulk, attract investment, and even pave the way for the establishment of agro-processing plants that will add value to our produce.”
She encouraged the beneficiaries of the seed distribution to take advantage of the ongoing rains and plant the maize instead of selling or consuming it prematurely.
She warned that hunger remains a major driver of vulnerability and deprivation in rural households.
“I want to take this opportunity to urge you my farmers to utilize these rains very well by planting these seeds so that we can have food in our families. A family without food is a family with endless problems,” she said.
Achayo also promoted the government’s “4-acre model” strategy, which encourages smallholder farmers to diversify their farms by planting high-value crops and keeping livestock on manageable portions of land.
This approach, she explained, enables farmers to earn more income from limited resources while improving food security and nutrition.
Teso sub-region, comprising districts such as Ngora, Soroti, Amuria, and Kumi, continues to struggle with multiple poverty indicators.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the sub-region has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, with over 30% of households living below the poverty line.
Common indicators of poverty in Teso include:
Food insecurity: Many households experience seasonal hunger due to low agricultural yields and poor storage methods.
Low household incomes: A majority of families earn less than UGX 5,000 per day, with limited access to markets or value chains.
Poor access to education and health services: Many children in rural areas drop out of school due to lack of scholastic materials or support, while health facilities remain understaffed and under-equipped.
High dependency ratio: Due to high birth rates and a culture of extended families, many working-age individuals support large numbers of dependents.
Land fragmentation: Inherited land is often subdivided among many family members, reducing the economic viability of farming.
Achayo believes that if farmers shift their mindset and embrace agribusiness, these challenges can be tackled.
“We must turn our farms into income-generating ventures. It starts with taking farming seriously, planting in time, following good agronomic practices, and targeting the market,” she added.
The seed distribution exercise was met with appreciation from local leaders and farmers.
Micheal Opaso, LC1 Chairperson of Kaderun, praised the MP’s initiative, saying it would not only improve food availability but also help households build resilience.
“These maize seeds will boost the area’s food basket, and we expect farmers to have enough to feed their families and support their communities,” Opaso said.
Several farmers pledged to plant the seeds immediately and avoid the temptation to sell or consume them.
Many hailed Achayo’s hands-on leadership and vowed to support her reelection in 2026.
“Our MP is always with us. She brings us what we need. We are going to plant these seeds and make sure we get good harvests,” said a farmer from Atoot Sub-county.
With poverty and food insecurity still looming in Teso, Hon. Achayo’s campaign for commercial agriculture offers a promising path forward one rooted in productivity, sustainability, and self-reliance.
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