Religious leaders from the Kigezi sub-region have concluded a two-day learning tour of model farms in Fort portal City and Kakumiro District, aimed at promoting simple, affordable and replicable farming practices as a path out of poverty.
The clerics, who were on a benchmarking visit, toured a four-acre model farm owned by State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, and a nine-acre model farm belonging to the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja.
Both farms, located in Kakumiro District, are managed using ordinary methods that do not require heavy capital investment, demonstrating that families can transform their livelihoods through simple but well-organised farming.
On Hon. Byamukama’s farm, the delegation observed enterprises including pineapples, six dairy cows, poultry, coffee and banana plantations.
He told the visitors that his biggest source of income is from eggs produced by his poultry project, which yields between 300 and 360 trays per day, each tray sold at 12,000 shillings.
At Rt. Hon. Nabbanja’s farm, the clerics were exposed to a mix of enterprises including onions, bananas, poultry, vegetables, pasture, dairy cows, piggery and coffee.
The diversity of enterprises on both farms was highlighted as proof that small and medium-scale farmers can generate sustainable incomes by properly utilising available land.
The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa commended Rt. Hon. Nabbanja and Hon. Byamukama for sparing time to share their experiences and inspire the visiting religious leaders.
According to Tayebwa, the tour was primarily about learning, and the clerics have already started discussing practical steps to replicate the model.
“Some are exploring the idea of dioceses acquiring land and setting up farms, even outside their traditional areas such as in Bunyoro, where agricultural land is more available and affordable than in Kigezi, where it is scarce and expensive”. He said.
He President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for initiating the idea of exposing religious leaders to wealth-creation activities. He expressed optimism that the clerics will act as champions of improved farming practices in Kigezi, using the knowledge gained to inspire their congregations to embrace agriculture for income generation.
During the visit, the delegation also held discussions with the Prime Minister on issues of service delivery in Kigezi, including the need to revamp the tea sector.
The team extended gratitude to Rt. Hon. Nabbanja and Hon. Fred Byamukama for the warm reception, gifts and exceptional hospitality accorded to the delegation throughout the tour.
The Source Reports.
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