Minister Namuyangu urges Kibuku residents to adopt ‘Ekibaro’ for improved farm produce

Kibuku (UG):- Kibuku District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Jennifer Namuyangu Kacha has urged residents in the eastern Uganda district to put into practice the best farming techniques if they are to yield improved produce from their farms.

Hon Namuyangu who is also Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs said this during a recent farming skills workshop she hosted for residents of Lwatama, Kasasira, and Keknkebu sub-counties on her farm in Kujji zone, Tirinyi Town Council.

The purpose of the event was to equip the local farmers with valuable agricultural knowledge and techniques that could help transform their livelihoods. During the session, MP Namuyangu shared a range of advice and guidance with her constituents.

Addressing the men in attendance, she stressed the importance of regularly checking on their livestock, especially in the evenings. The minister also suggested that children may sometimes be involved in these criminal activities. She informed the gathering that the President had issued a directive to station 18 police officers in each sub-county to combat theft. In the interim, she advised the community to reestablish village security committees.

Ms Namuyangu emphasized the need for tree planting, even on the pathways leading to people’s homes, for those who lack available land. Regarding security, she informed the gathering that the President had issued a directive to station 18 police officers in each sub-county to combat theft. In the interim, she advised the community to reestablish village security committees.

MP Namuyangu further encouraged everyone to replace their national IDs and invited agricultural experts to provide guidance on cultivating diverse crops. She stressed the importance of maintaining “ekibalo” (records) and planting crops with seasonal harvests, rather than relying solely on crops like groundnuts.

People with disabilities were advised to follow up on the 5 million shillings allocated to their groups at the district level. The minister also discouraged the practice of subdividing land into smaller portions and encouraged the community to visit the four-acre model farm established at the Tirinyi Industrial Hub to learn new farming techniques.

During the event, the minister invited several subject matter experts to share their knowledge. Bola Stephen, the Assistant Animal Husbandry Officer, provided insights on poultry, dairy, and pig farming. He urged the participants to take their agricultural endeavours seriously, as the upcoming Uganda Climate-Smart Agriculture Transformation project would support serious farmers with enterprises such as dairy and poultry.

Wekubisye Rigan, the Kabweri County Assistant Fisheries Officer, emphasized the importance of record-keeping for farmers to benefit from government initiatives. He outlined the key considerations for starting a fish pond, including locating a suitable water source and stocking the pond appropriately.

The event concluded with a tour of MP Namuyangu’s farm, including her fish pond. Magongolo, one of the attendees, expressed gratitude for the workshop and pledged to implement the lessons learned, though he acknowledged that financial constraints might hinder some community members from adopting the recommended practices.

Overall, the farming skills workshop organized by Hon. Jennifer Namuyangu Kacha provided a valuable platform for her constituents to gain practical knowledge and inspiration to enhance their agricultural productivity and improve their livelihoods.