By Henry Sekanjako
Busoga sub-region is set to be the first sub-region to make the best of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program through the implementation of the Village Agricultural Model (VAM) strategy to stir guided mass community transformation.
This is as the Government continues to drive socioeconomic transformation of the Country through the PDM program.
The development of a pilot village agricultural model was revealed during arecent ceremony for the establishment of cooperation between Busoga Consortium for Development and China Agricultural University ( CAU) in Kampala.
A Chinese delegation led by Prof. SUN Qixin President of CAU arrived in Uganda accompanied by a high-level team of experts in Agriculture and community transformation.
The University is China’s leading Agricultural institution.
The delegation was hosted by the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) Ministerial coordination Committee Rukia Isanga Nakadama.
During the ceremony, signatures were penned on a 5 year cooperation agreement that will see Busoga pilot the Village Agricultural Model socioeconomic transformation strategy as a boost to the successful implementation of the PDM.
deputy Premier Nakadama urged the people of Busoga to whole heartedly embrace the opportunities attracted by the cooperation to position Busoga as the beacon of China-Uganda community transformative story.
“This Vilage Agricultural Model and the PDM are inter-related, complimentary and both focus at community transformation” Nakadama said.
As a way forward, Nakadama proposed for the establishment of an operationalization working committee for the Village Agricultural Model ( VAM) pilot projects including representatives from UN-FAO, South to South Cooperation Project phase III, Ministry of Agriculture and NARO under the chair of the Busoga Consortium for Development.
According to the agreement, agricultural model villages are to be established in Busoga as pilot for the VAM strategy serving as examples of sustainable development.
These villages will integrate innovative approaches to agriculture, with a focus on intercropping maize and soya beans as well as cassava and beans to enhance and diversify agricultural production.
The cooperation also offers Ugandan students an opportunity to study diplomas, degrees, masters and PHD programs at CAU on full and partial scholarship frameworks.
Other areas of cooperation include joint research and new policy formulation on agricultural development and rural transformation between Uganda and China, co-creation and organization of conferences, seminars, dialogues, trainings and learning tours, among others.
Mula Anthony, the Director General the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) signed on behalf of BCD while Prof. Tang Lixia Deputy Dean College of International Development and Global Agriculture at the University, signed on behalf of CAU.
The VAM is a Chinese strategy that is said to have been used by the Chinese Government to eliminate extreme poverty and guide the Country to becoming a prosperous economic power by 2020.
The signing ceremony that ushered in the new cooperation was graced by Persis Namuganza Minister of State for Housing, the UN-FAO Country representative to Uganda Antonio Querido, the team leader of the China-Uganda South to South Cooperation Phase III H.E Zhang Xiaioqiang, the BCD Governor Simon Wakaze also LCV Chairman Luuka District and his deputy Frank Tibagendeka also LCV Chairman Mayuge.
President SUN Qixin expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the shared commitment to addressing global challenges through collaborative efforts.
On her part, Namuganza said the cooperation comes at a time when Governement is scheduled to host the Non Aligned Movement(NAM) which will compliment Government PDM efforts to lead household transformation.
” For sustainable transformation to be attained, people must have enough food for not only consumption but also income generation to cater for other important basics to life like good housing and health,” Namuganza said.
While highlighting the relation between the ongoing community transformation efforts by FAO and the South to South Cooperation programs, Antonio Querido congratulated Busoga on the MOU and committed his official and personal support to ensuring the successfully execution of the agreement.
Mula Anthony, Director General of Busoga Consortium extended heartfelt delight at the resounding success of this pivotal collaboration embracing a future of shared achievements and impactful initiatives.
On behalf of the Local Government leaders, the Governor BCD Wakaze Simon welcomed the cooperation with great anticipation for triggering the sought for rural socioeconomic transformation of Busoga.
He committed the full support of the Local Government political leadership to the successful implementation of the cooperation.
The signing ceremony concluded with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, as both delegations shared a commitment to a future of shared progress and prosperity.
The collaborative efforts between China Agricultural University, the Busoga Consortium for Development, and the local community are poised to set the stage for a transformative era of sustainable development in Busoga and beyond.
