Rice farmers in Bunyala District have received a new drying machine from the ministry of Agriculture in partnership with world vision. 

District Irrigation Officer Mr. Joel Tanui stated that the drying machine was a request by the farmers to have an ample time drying their rice during wet seasons.

The farmers used to face many complications when it came to drying their rice especially in rainy seasons because most of it used to get spoiled before it dried up well.

“The machine will be able to serve all feeder schemes in Magombe area and Rwambwa- Mudembi irrigation scheme and not to forget Nandikinya scheme,” he said.

Speaking with West FM Mr. Tanui said that the machine can dry up to 500 bags of rice per day which is the target that farmers requested.

He added that the machine can also dry other cereals like maize, Sorghum, Wheat, Millet, Beans meaning that because it is a farming zone same would be able to dry their cereals instead of drying them manually.

Even though the officer noted that the main problem comes on supply of power which will be costly, he added that the Department of corporation is looking at ways of reducing the cost to levels which a local farmer can afford.

He also emphasized on performance terms saying, the National Irrigation Board has enacted new rules to run all the schemes in the country.

Mr. Tanui added that because this is the largest rice scheme in the Busia County He’s ensuring that the quagmire that is still revolving in some scheme such as Rwambwa – Mudembi shall no longer continue because the new rules might ban them from being members of NIB.