ZOMBO LEADERS URGE SHIFT IN FARMERS MINDSET AS DONATED TRACTORS SIT IDLE

Man ploughs using a walking tractor. Photo/ courtesy 
 
By Mike Rwothomio
 
Zombo
 
Local leaders in Zombo District are pressing for a transformation in the mindset of smallholder farmers, who they say are shying away from utilizing walking tractors recently provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).
 
Across the 15 lower local government units in Zombo District, some leaders report that farmers have out rightly rejected the use of these two-wheel tractors, citing high operational costs and the labor-intensive nature of handling them.
 
Last year, Zombo District’s local government received 30 walking tractors from MAAIF, allocating two to each lower local government unit to enhance mechanized farming and boost household-level agricultural productivity.
 
These machines were intended to revolutionize smallholder farming by improving efficiency in land preparation, tillage, and crop management.
 
Melki Onyutha Orwothuwun, the LCIII chairperson of Padea Town Council, told this publication that since the tractors were delivered early last year, not a single farmer has shown interest in using them, leaving the equipment dormant.
 
"The town council leadership has dismantled the tires from the two walking tractors and stored them indoors at the council headquarters to prevent deterioration," Onyutha explained.
 
 He added, "We’re actively sensitizing the community about the benefits of mechanized tillage with these tractors promoting their use at churches, mosques, burials, and other gatherings."
 
A similar concern was reiterated by Denis Dongwa, Secretary of the District Production Committee, in an interview with this publication.
 
He advocated for a shift in operational perspective, noting that they had recently convened a meeting with production technocrats, including extension officers, to address the efficient deployment of walking tractors.
 
"Last month, we held a departmental briefing that encompassed district staff and all extension officers, and I requested a comprehensive report on the utilization of these tractors," Dongwa affirmed.
 
Following the distribution of the tractors across Zombo District’s lower local government units, two individuals from each unit were selected and trained as operators to facilitate their use in crop production activities.
 
However, Onyutha lamented, "The trained operators are idle because farmers aren’t seeking the tractors’ services."
 
The Government of Uganda, through MAAIF, is pushing innovations like the walking tractor to ease the burden of manual labor and increase yields for smallholder farmers. 
These single-axle machines are seen as a game-changer in the agricultural sector, particularly for those cultivating small to medium plots.
 
A walking tractor, commonly known as a two-wheel tractor, is a versatile, operator-guided machine designed for tasks like plowing, harrowing, and hauling. Unlike larger, four-wheeled tractors, farmers walk behind these units, steering them through fields. Agricultural experts highlight their simplicity, maneuverability, and cost-effectiveness as key advantages.
 
"One of the biggest draws of walking tractors is their affordability," experts note. "For smallholder farmers facing tight budgets, these machines offer a low-cost alternative to traditional tractors without sacrificing much in terms of field performance."
 
Douglas Rupiny, District Councillor for Padea Town Council, praised the tractors’ versatility, "They’re ideal for plowing, transporting harvests, and even serving as stationary power sources for tasks like threshing or milling. Their adaptability is a boon for farmers with diverse needs but limited resources." 
 
However, Rupiny expressed concern that prolonged disuse could lead to mechanical faults. "We’re worried these tractors might deteriorate. We urge farmers from neighboring sub-counties to come and make the most use of them," he said.
 
Caroline Oroma, Assistant Animal Husbandry Officer and head of the production department in Warr Town Council, echoed these sentiments in a recent interview.
 
She noted a lack of enthusiasm among farmers for adopting the tractors and called for a shift in attitude to drive agricultural development and transformation.
 
Despite their modest size, walking tractors can significantly boost farm productivity. They outpace manual labor in tasks like land preparation and reduce operator fatigue, enabling more acreage to be cultivated with less effort.
 
Additionally, their lighter weight minimizes soil compaction compared to heavier machinery, fostering healthier soils and sustaining long-term land fertility.
 
Through this tractor donation program, the government aims to improve farmers’ access to mechanization, encouraging smallholders to scale up production of both food and cash crops for better livelihoods and market engagement.
 
A Glimmer of Hope
 
While some farmers remain resistant, there are signs of progress.
 
In Paidha Sub-County, over 20 smallholder farmers have utilized the walking tractors stationed at the sub-county headquarters.
 
LCIII Chairperson William Okethi told this publication that demand is steadily rising, particularly among farmers in Otheko and Cana Parishes. 
 
"Last year, more than 20 farmers used the tractors, and now we’re overwhelmed—eight farmers are vying for just two machines," Okethi said, praising the community’s growing embrace of mechanization as a catalyst for future production gains.
 
The Government of Uganda continues to promote cost-effective agricultural technologies to enhance output and market-oriented farming.
 
Farmers Weigh In
 
Albert Ngabirombu, a farmer from Warr Town Council, pointed to multiple barriers deterring adoption: "High fuel costs, limited accessibility, and the difficulty of operating these machines are driving people away."
 
Jerose Acika, another farmer, added, "I live in Mundhel, over three kilometers from the sub-county headquarters where the tractor is kept. It’s too far to access. The sub-county should bring the tractor closer to our parish so we can use it."
 
At the tractors’ commissioning event at Paidha Cultural Center early last year, Zombo District Agricultural Officer Patrick Anenuiu urged farmers to seize the opportunity. "I call on the farming community to roll up their sleeves and harness these tools for a more productive Zombo District," he said.
Farmers are required to cover fuel costs and pay a small fee to operators.