Ogwal Engages MAAIF, Makerere Experts to Strengthen Millet Value Chain

Dokolo North MP-elect Joseph Jones Ogwal has moved to consolidate institutional backing for a millet revival drive in Lango Sub-region, unveiling plans to formally launch the initiative with technical support from government and academia.

Speaking during a farmers’ engagement on April 19, 2026, at Baronger Village in Aburcero Parish, Amwoma Sub-county, Ogwal said the upcoming launch will bring on board officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and researchers from the Makerere University Faculty of Agriculture to strengthen production systems and value chain development.

The initiative, being implemented under the Kal Yen Project, is already supporting about 300 farmers with seed capital to restore millet cultivation, a crop that has historically been central to Lango’s food systems but has declined in recent years due to shifts towards cassava and shea.

Ogwal said the programme is designed to reposition Dokolo North as a competitive millet production hub, noting that despite reduced local output, demand for the grain remains high in urban markets such as Kampala, where supplies are often sourced from western districts like Bushenyi.

He drew comparisons with Buganda, where communities have maintained strong cultural and economic ties to traditional crops, arguing that Lango must reclaim its agricultural identity through coordinated interventions.

Beyond crop production, Ogwal outlined complementary plans, including a constituency-wide vaccination campaign for indigenous poultry to boost household incomes and resilience.

He also appealed for unity among residents, warning against politicising the initiative.

Local leaders have endorsed the programme, with outgoing Amwoma Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Geoffrey Odur linking millet revival to cultural restoration.

He noted that neighbouring Acholi has preserved its traditions, which continue to attract international interest.

Odur further advised that the project be formally registered under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to enhance its sustainability and integration into national economic frameworks.

Kal Yen Project Director Ogwal Parmenas Willy said the initiative is targeting both domestic and export markets, citing growing global demand for millet in countries such as the United States, China, India and Israel.

He added that environmental conservation is integrated into the project through tree planting to address firewood shortages and reduce the burden on rural households, particularly women.

Parmenas emphasised the need for improved infrastructure, especially roads, water and electricity, to unlock the region’s agricultural potential, identifying Amwoma Sub-county as a future hub for millet trade.

Project outlook

At least 200 farmers have already planted millet under the initiative this season, with plans to expand coverage across all sub-counties and town councils in Dokolo North.

The project operates under a 25-member executive structure, although its official launch has been postponed from the earlier June 18, 2026 schedule to allow for broader consultations.

Agricultural stakeholders say renewed focus on improved seed varieties such as SEREMI 2 and adoption of modern agronomic practices could significantly boost yields and market competitiveness.

Millet’s resilience to drought and long storage life further positions it as a strategic crop for food security and income generation.

The Dokolo initiative underscores a wider push to elevate millet from a traditional staple to a commercially viable commodity capable of driving socio-economic transformation in Northern Uganda.