Kisoro district rejects over 4,000 Apple seedlings

 

Kisoro district top leaders on Monday 15th May 2023 rejected over 4,000 Apple seedlings from NAADS citing unclear specifications.

A section of leaders who were at the district at around 11:00am noticed a truck full of apple seedlings packed at the district premises and a few beneficiary farmers Nyundo sub county gathered around it.

On consultation from the district production officer Basaza Solomon, the Kisoro district LCV Chairman Abel Bizimana was told that the seedlings were coming from NAADS.

According to Basaza, the NAADS secretariat wrote to Kisoro district asking for it to express interest in apple seedlings which the Chief administrative officer (CAO) did under the guidance of the senior Agricultural officer Mutuzo Harriet.

Basaza noted that he tried to advise the CAO not to show interest in apple seedlings because apples do not do well in Kisoro district but all was in vain.

However, Bizimana said that Kisoro district and his council are not aware of the supply and as leaders they are not ready to battle another court case that may result from the delivery. He noted that the district is still going through difficulties after it lost 0ver 150 million shillings to an individual due to NAADS's similar infringement a few years ago.

He also noted that whenever the district leadership is not involved in such programs, reports always reflect more than what is actually received, which is a disservice to his voters.

Mr Bizimana added that few months ago, a few kisoro district civil servants whom he did not disclose shared avocado and Eucraptus seedlings which he said was not in order.   

He said any agricultural thing going to the people should be known by the production committee for clear accountability during report submission.

Meanwhile, Beneficiary farmers from Nyundo sub county were left very bitter for they did not get seedlings yet they had prepared to receive them two months ago. They say that Apples do well in their sub county and them not getting additional seedlings is a big loss.

The Kisoro OWC coordinator colonel Deo Kaita who was also there ordered the truck driver to drive away his truck from the district premises because he was also not aware of the Apple seedling supply.

Most of the district councillors including the district speaker Amos Hakizimana, Luis Bishubeho (Kirundo sub county),Agaba James(Southern division,Nambaje Habert(Vice chairperson) and many others were also there and they said there are not aware of the  supply.

The district Agriculture officer Mutuzo Harriet was not in place to comment about the issue.