Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has instructed all extension staff across the country to leave their offices and provide direct support to farmers with the aim of enhancing agricultural production, productivity, and profitability.
Nabbanja, along with several other Ministers, were present in Kagadi, Kibaale, and Kakumiro districts to address President’s proposed policies, including the production and distribution of high-quality seeds and materials, disease control, agricultural mechanization, irrigation, farmer education and mobilization, and partnerships with large landowners and interventions in the fisheries sector.
During her visit to farmers in Kagadi District, Nabbanja emphasized the need for extension staff to promptly respond to the concerns raised by farmers. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the utilization of a government-established irrigation scheme for low-value crops like beans and maize, while the intention was to promote the cultivation of high-value crops.
Bwino Kyakulaga, the State Minister for Agriculture, encouraged the youth to engage in agriculture, noting its immediate financial rewards. He expressed concern about the declining interest of young people in agriculture in various parts of the country.
Henry Musasizi, the State Minister for Finance, urged the people of Kagadi to embrace government programs aimed at increasing household incomes, emphasizing the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment and provide funding for various programs, including the Parish Development Model.
Aisha Ssekindi, the State Minister for Water, highlighted the government’s initiatives to provide water for both domestic and production purposes, aiming to reduce reliance on natural water sources.
The Prime Minister and Ministers visited farmers who raised several challenges, including a lack of fish feeds, water for irrigation, diseases, and pests.
Meanwhile, the government concluded a three-day agricultural expo in Kagadi, Kibaale, and Kakumiro, focusing on farmer education, mobilization, value addition, and service delivery. Farmers at the expo requested support to access water for production and machinery for value addition.
Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, the State Minister for Agriculture, stated that the Ministry would assess individual farmers’ needs after the expo to help them increase production and add value to their products.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja encouraged local farmers in all districts to learn from model farmers and adopt best practices to enhance their production, productivity, and profitability.
The expo featured various exhibitors offering services to improve agricultural production, and Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transport, cautioned against damaging the road infrastructure necessary for farmers to access markets for their produce.
The government has adopted a comprehensive approach to service delivery in all agricultural expos across the country, and over 25 motorcycles were distributed to extension staff to provide technical advice to farmers.
The Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (PMDU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, organized the agricultural expo on the advice of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This event brought together smallholder farmers, large-scale farmers, farmer associations, agricultural researchers, and agri-business companies to exchange ideas on improving production, productivity, and profitability.
