Dr Jolly Kabirizi, a retired researcher and one of Vision Group’s best farmers, has organised a dairy farmers training in honour of Women’s Day.
Kabirizi has held the training for the last 10 years to mark Women’s Day.
The training, themed Empowering Farmers and Youth with Climate Smart Dairy Cattle Farming, will be held on March 22, at Seguku Worship Centre, Yesu Akwagala in Kampala.
“I have organised this training every year for the last 10 years. I have held it in various places, including northern and western Uganda in honour of women. I know that if women dairy farmers are empowered, they can improve the financial status of their families,” she says.
Kabirizi is also a regular trainer at the Harvest Money Expo.
She explains that for generations, the dairy sector in Uganda has been contributing to the empowerment of women both from nutrition and livelihood perspectives.
Kabirizi notes that milk production supports the livelihood of millions of women and their families, as well as creates socio-economic value for communities.
Dairy products provide important components for maintaining bone strength, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc, vitamin D and protein.
Kabirizi further explains that milk plays a role in combating age-related muscle decline.
The dairy sector substantially contributes to eradicating hunger (Sustainable Development Goal 2) and recognising the role that milk and dairy foods play in providing balanced, healthy and safe nutrition.
“Women dairy farmers in Uganda are acquiring financial autonomy (revenue, animals and land ownership), which contributes to child education and housing, among others. Women in the dairy sector should be empowered in leadership and governance positions,” Kabirizi says.
“Dairy farming diversifies family income and increases the understanding of food choice and the necessity of food availability through educational efforts, such as school milk programmes,” she adds.
Dairy farming brings dual benefits by improving women’s lives and, in turn, conveys tangible benefits for their children’s development.
Kabirizi explains that she chose to train dairy farmers in honour of Women’s Day because increasing participation of women in dairy farming enhances their chances of engaging in public decision-making, thereby improving their social and economic status.
Income from dairy farming directly supports household livelihoods and elevates the quality of life for these women. Furthermore, greater involvement in dairy farming allows women to contribute ideas, make decisions to improve their families’ and communities’ well-being and assume leadership roles.
“As female dairy farmers continue to use dairying as a source of income and a means of connecting with markets and rural societies, their participation will further promote gender equality within their communities,” she concludes.
Other trainers who will be at the event are Dr Moses Mwesigwa from National Agricultural Research Organisation; Phoebe Kalega, a dairy farmer from Masindi; Martha Matovu, a silage expert; Dr William Kabanda from URUS, Margaret Ssentambi, an urban farmer and young farming star Peter Mpoza, a student at Kitende Secondary School.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION:
Dr Kabirizi (right) explaining how to make livestock feed from farm crop waste. Behind is
Kayondo displaying animal processed feed from farm crops’ waste. Photo by Herbert Musoke
