In a bid to promote Alternative Income Generating Activities in Ntoroko, Natural Resources Defense Initiatives (NRDI) has established demo gardens to selected residents in Ntoroko District as a way of introducing farming as an economic activity.
The action is aimed at interesting farmers into Agriculture as a way of diversifying from the traditional cattle keeping which is the major economic activity in the area.
According to Edgar Muganzi the Executive Director NRDI, there is much need for residents of Ntoroko whose land is adjacent to River Semulik to desist from the practice of grazing cattle by the River side so as to prevent the fragile soils from toppling into the River.
“A majority of residents whose land is adjacent to the River are losing their land and the biggest cause is grazing cattle next to the River. The Ministry of Water and Environment through NRDI guided on buffer demarcations so as to avert the situation and has also facilitated the established of demo gardens in specific locations for the people of Ntoroko to appreciate Agriculture as an alternative economic activity that will supplement cattle keeping,” he explained.
The Demo gardens established are one acre with modern technology of irrigation that enables farmers to have perennial crops all through the year.