By Derrick Asaba
A farmer in Buseesa village, Kaisekenkere Parish, Matale Sub-County in Kibaale District, amazed locals and leaders with the revelation that he earns an annual net profit of shillings 238 million from one and a half acres.
Dr Richard Lubega who is under the Buseesa Community Development Organisation (BCDO) Demonstration farm, revealed that they deal in livestock and poultry activities including piggery, goats, cows, poultry, cows and fishponds.
Lubega said that the farm follows sustainable and efficient farming practices to optimize production.
In one of his revelations, Lubega noted that he collects shillings 143 million from the piggery unit alone where he currently has 78 pigs.
“We are the only centre for rearing Camborough breeds in western Uganda. This type of breed produces between 10-15 piglets, grows faster and can ably produce at six months,” said Lubega.
He feeds the pigs on maize brand mixed with pigs concentrate and piglets are fed on weaner pellets. Whereas most people shy away from piggery due to hygienic reasons, Lubega is confident.
“The good hygiene for the structure is maintained by using the inorganic microorganism’s approach where the microorganisms feed on the pig’s waste immediately and prevent smell,” he added.
Lubega revealed that out of this project he has managed to build a good home, educate his children in good schools and construct a health centre III.
“Our project has benefited the community as people come to our farm for cross-breeding and also managed to change the community mindset thus ensuring growth and development,” Lubega said.
This was during the recently concluded three-day Greater Kibaale Agricultural Expo aimed at not only helping the government to change the mindset of Ugandans about agriculture but also farmers to adopt new and improved farming methods which bring higher yields.
Resource utilisation
In consideration of Lubega’s example, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja urged locals in the district to embrace objective farming if they are to overcome poverty.
Nabbanja toured Lubega’s farm as one of the model farmers in the district after asking local leaders to identify noteworthy farmers in crop production and animal rearing.
She urged locals to stop sleeping on available land resources and rather utilise them not only to overcome poverty but also to reflect an example in society.
“You ought to wake up and utilize your small pieces of land and create a difference. You can also set up other projects like poultry and piggery in your backyards. Lubega’s deeds have converged people from all walks of life but ask yourself; what shall we come to do at your home?” Nabbanja told the locals.
“How can you stay without even a hen, goat or a pig? Why don’t you get revolted and change your financial status? Lubega has over four profiting projects on only an acre and a half but you have 10 acres and are just looking at your piece of land,” Nabbanja stressed.
While on the tour, Nabbanja was in the company of other ministers including finance minister Matia Kasaija, ICT and national guidance minister Chris Baryomunsi, and agriculture minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga.
Kasaija reiterated the farmer’s need to be visionary while setting for agricultural investment and assured farmers of a market for their products.
“Even if you have one acre of land, go forward. Do not go for farming that requires a lot of land like maize. Regardless of whether you plant over 10 acres of maize, you can never earn like Lubega does. Leave here when you have seen and learnt and go to put it into practice,” Kasaija said.
He added “I have come to Lubega’s farm three times before. I want to come to your farms the next time for a tour. Some of you might be troubled with the market but be assured that we are working on it exhaustively.”
The presidential directive
The Farmers Mobilisation and Education Campaign followed President Museveni’s directive to the Prime Minister last year, to coordinate all the relevant institutions of government to implement his six policy proposals to develop agriculture.
The policy proposals include production, multiplication, distribution and certification of seeds and stocking materials, disease control, agricultural mechanisation and irrigation, farmer education and mobilization and partnerships with big landowners as well as interventions in the fisheries sector.
“We are advising farmers with small plots of land to engage in high-value crop growing enterprises whereas farmers who own large pieces of land can engage in extensive agriculture for crops like maize, coffee, tea, sugarcane, among others,” Nabbanja noted.
She noted that the campaign is in line with the socioeconomic transformation agenda of the NRM government that will help facilitate the implementation of the Parish Development Model and NDP III.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and finance minister Matia Kasaija after receiving a goat and a bunch of bananas as a gift from Dr. Richard Lubega.
