By Joshua Kato
The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has promised to support the best farmers winners with equipment to help them further develop their farms.
The promise was made by Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, during a courtesy visit by a group of 2023 Best farmers, to his office in Kampala on Thursday, November 21.
The 13 farmers who visited Tumwebaze included Martin Kananura from Mbarara, Henry Lugolobi from Wakiso, Sebastian Ngambwa from Luwero, Paul Awor from Tororo, Agnes Akello from Soroti, Bosco Otto from Gulu, Solomon Odong from Soroti, Fiona Acayo from Lira, Simon Amajuru from Adjumani, Muawiya Mukasa from Nakaseke, Dr Pamela Bakabulindi from Mukono, Patrick Kyakulaga from Iganga and Phoebe Kagambe from Kyenjojo.
“This is one of the best initiatives that has ever been done and we thank Vision Group and the other sponsors for starting this project,” Tumwebaze said.
He explained that government gives out a lot of farm and value chain development assistance to farmers across the country and this gives the best farmers an opportunity to benefit from these.
The best farmers competition is organized by Vision Group with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands, dfcu Bank, KLM Airlines and Koudjis nutrition BV.
Since the competition started in 2014, 108 winners have been announced.
“We know your farms, we know that you are lead farmers who are well established in your regions. I believe that if you receive this support, it will go a long way in changing the farming activities of people near you,” he said.
The farmers led by Henry Lugolobi presented a memorandum that included challenges and opportunities which government has to work on in order to develop the agriculture sector.
Among others included improving access to agriculture funds, market access, helping farmers with equipment to add value and many others.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries addressing best farmers.
