Summary:
- President Museveni emphasized the importance of commercial agriculture for poverty alleviation, sharing success stories from other regions where his initiatives have had a positive impact.
KAKUMIRO: On Friday, November 15, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially launched the Four-Acre Model, a modern farming initiative aimed at empowering farmers in the Greater Kibaale districts.
These districtsKakumiro, Kagadi, and Kibaale are set to benefit from the campaign’s focus on modernizing agricultural practices and improving household incomes.
The launch took place at the Kikwaya Primary School playground in Kakumiro, where President Museveni encouraged the people of Greater Kibaale to embrace the four-acre model as a means of stabilizing their incomes through more efficient and diversified farming practices.
A Focus on Sustainable Agriculture
President Museveni emphasized the importance of commercial agriculture for poverty alleviation, sharing success stories from other regions where his initiatives have had a positive impact.
“My people in Gomba and Sembabule are already thriving. Over 2,035 households have entered the money economy through commercial agriculture, thanks to my poverty alleviation programs,” he said.
The President noted that he has been advocating for wealth creation since the 1960s, and that his guidance has helped many Ugandans improve their livelihoods. He cited the cattle corridor, where farmers have embraced commercial dairy farming, as an example of how his advice has benefited communities. Similarly, he pointed to the people of Greater Masaka, who have successfully taken up coffee farming.
Key Supporters of the Campaign
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja commended President Museveni for his unwavering commitment to guiding Ugandans on how to fight poverty through various wealth creation initiatives, particularly commercial agriculture.
“Even I started a four-acre model farm, and I’ll invite you to come and see what we’ve accomplished,” Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said. She also shared her own success, revealing that she manages six acres of onions, earning between Shs 300 – Shs 400 million from the crop.
The Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, expressed his gratitude for the President’s efforts in promoting wealth creation across Uganda.
“We appreciate Your Excellency for always showing us the way,” he said.
The Minister of State for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, also praised President Museveni for his visit and the launch of the four-acre model. He believes the initiative will significantly boost commercial agriculture and help farmers generate wealth.
“We are optimistic that in five years, every sub-county will have at least 100 model farmers,” Hon. Byamukama said.
President’s Farm Tour
Earlier in the day, President Museveni toured several four-acre model farms in Kakumiro District. His first stop was at the Kamanyire Demonstration Farm, owned by Hon. Byamukama, where he observed activities such as zero grazing, piggery, and poultry farming. The President took time to appreciate Hon. Byamukama’s efforts to promote comprehensive agricultural development.
A highlight of the tour was a visit to the farm’s pineapple plantation, where the President symbolically harvested ripe pineapples, underscoring the importance of diversified fruit farming in the region.
President Museveni also toured an innovative solar-powered irrigation scheme, designed to help small-scale village farmers maintain consistent crop yields despite weather challenges. The scheme is a key part of the four-acre model’s goal of increasing efficiency in farming.
The President also visited the farm of Ms. Namubiru Sylvia, another participant in the Kamanyire farming initiative. Located in Kikwaya village, Ms. Namubiru’s farm features productive coffee and banana plantations, along with zero-grazing dairy cows and a piggery.
Looking Ahead
The Four-Acre Model aims to help farmers adopt more sustainable and profitable farming practices. With government support and the examples set by local farmers like Hon. Byamukama and Ms. Namubiru, the initiative is expected to empower thousands of households across the Greater Kibaale region, ultimately contributing to a more prosperous Uganda
