By Prossy Nandudu
Although the planting season is coming to an end, there are sections of the public still looking for seeds to plant.
Seed in most cases is perceived by the public as beans, maize, vegetables forgetting the banana suckers, cassava cuttings, sweet potato vines and pasture seed for livestock feeds among others.
Although most of the seeds are usually secured from established farms, friends and research stations, this time around, these are being showcased by His Grace farms at the 29th International Trade Fair taking place at the UMA show grounds at Lugogo, Kampala.
Milly Namakula from His Grace Farm found in Namuyenge in Mukono, says through the trade fair, they want to help people understand the difference between indigenous banana varieties and improved varieties or plantain suckers from normal banana suckers.
“As people come to see, we explain the difference between the two suckers, teach them how to plant, the kind of organic pesticides to use and how to mulch so pests don’t find their way onto the growing banana stems,” said Namakula.
She also said they are focusing on indigenous banana varieties which include Kisansa, Nakabululu, and Muvubo.
They have also added the disappearing Bukalasa cassava variety that matures between six and nine months in addition to orange sweet potato vines, indigenous small-seeded maize varieties, Kakamega elephant grass said to boost milk production among dairy cows, pumpkins and a seed from a variety of indigenous vegetables among others.
The products are stationed in the agriculture section that was created by the management of the trade fair to cater for people interested in agriculture.
Other ventures in this section include seedling for different fruit trees, training on rabbit farming, improved goat breeds, poultry management practices innovations among others.
This year’s trade fair is running under the theme: Driving Manufacturing and Trade Efficiency through Digital Transformation, Organised by the Uganda Manufacturer’s Association (UMA) and other partners.
PHOTO CAPTION: Milly Namakula from His Grace Farm found in Namuyenge in Mukono showcasing banana suckers during the Uganda Manufacturers association trade fair. Photo by Wilfred Sanya
