Summary:
- President Museveni also urged the residents of Teso to consider shifting from traditional rice cultivation to more profitable ventures such as fruit farming, fish farming, and dairy production.
KATAKWI: In a bid to boost household income and set an example for others, the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, has pledged to donate 41 dairy animals to district councilors in the Teso sub-region.
Addressing a public rally on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the Vice President’s farm in Katakwi District, President Museveni, who was beginning a three-day wealth creation tour of the sub-region, emphasized the importance of adopting new agricultural enterprises as a strategy to combat poverty.
The President urged the people of Teso to fully utilize their land to achieve economic prosperity, advocating for the cultivation of fruits and the expansion of fish and dairy farming as sustainable economic activities.
President Museveni also urged the residents of Teso to consider shifting from traditional rice cultivation to more profitable ventures such as fruit farming, fish farming, and dairy production. He stressed that such diversification would be key in addressing household poverty in the region.
During his remarks, the President highlighted that Katakwi District is blessed with fertile land, which offers significant opportunities for investment in agriculture. He further mentioned that his daughter, Vice President Rtd. Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, had long been advocating for dairy farming and had urged him to support the councilors in this initiative. He emphasized that the councilors should lead by example in the fight against poverty within their communities.
“My daughter Alupo has been asking me to support councilors for a long time, especially in promoting dairy farming. The councilors should not remain passive; they must become examples in the community for poverty eradication,” President Museveni said.
The President also reflected on the success of the Parish Development Model (PDM), noting that many farmers have made significant strides in wealth creation by rearing pigs, ducks, and turkeys. Under the PDM, a total of Shs 500 million is allocated over five years, with beneficiaries expected to repay the funds within 24 months. This repayment plan ensures that the government can continue to disburse funds to other parishes.
Vice President Alupo, who practices commercial farming, including banana cultivation, aquaculture, piggery, poultry (layers chicken), and dairy farming, shared her personal success story and thanked the President for his guidance. She explained that her family, which consists of nine people, manages 4,000 layer chickens that produce 120 crates of eggs per day, generating significant income during sales.
“The knowledge I have gained in commercial farming has been transformative, and I encourage everyone in Teso, Katakwi, and Uganda as a whole to fully utilize their land to achieve economic prosperity,” Vice President Alupo said.
Bernard Simon Opended, a retired teacher and prominent farmer in Magoro Sub County, Katakwi District, also spoke at the rally. He expressed concern over the underutilization of fertile land in the region and emphasized that for the community to overcome poverty, they must embrace commercial farming. He suggested that both crop cultivation and animal rearing could be key to unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Stephen Ilemukorit, the former chairman of Katakwi District and a farmer in the district, thanked the President and Vice President for their efforts to promote innovative approaches to changing the lives of local farmers.
Leaders present at the rally also echoed the need for more support for the agricultural sector. Mr. Bosco Okiror, the Usuk County South MP and chairman of the Teso Parliamentary Group, urged the government to create instant markets for agricultural produce and establish proper standards for selling goods. He highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in Teso, particularly the lack of markets for cassava, which is currently sitting unused in many farmers’ gardens.
“The government should help farmers by sourcing markets and establishing a factory for cassava production in the region,” Mr. Okiror said.
Pallisa District Chairperson Mr. Geoffrey Omolo also emphasized the importance of the sub-region’s transformation plan, which aims to uplift local communities to a middle-class income level. He urged local leaders to continue raising awareness and sensitizing the public on poverty eradication initiatives.
In conclusion, the leaders agreed that adopting new agricultural ventures and improving market access would be crucial in lifting the households of Teso out of poverty and into prosperity.
