Mulimira emphasized that farmers and livestock keepers will find everything they need at the exhibition, including certified seeds, seedlings, and pesticides supplied directly by manufacturers and authorized distributors.
Leaders in Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District, have organized the second edition of an agriculture and business exhibition, which will be held at the sub-county headquarters in Kyampisi.
Harriet Luzira, the Kyampisi Sub-county Chief, said the decision to organize the exhibition again was inspired by the success of last year’s event, which attracted a large number of participants. These included exhibitors, visitors who came to learn from experts, and buyers who purchased quality products showcased by various specialists.
Luzira explained that unlike last year’s exhibition, which lasted for two days, the upcoming event will become an annual activity and will run for three days, from August 6 to 8.
“This time, our experts have carefully selected exhibitors, focusing on those using modern farming practices and value-addition technologies. Special emphasis has been placed on individuals skilled in adding value to agricultural and livestock products to help farmers increase their incomes through the sale of processed products,” she said.
She urged residents of Kyampisi and neighboring sub-counties to attend the exhibition so they can acquire knowledge from agricultural and livestock experts, access quality seeds, and obtain genuine crop and livestock pesticides and medicines. She noted that farmers have frequently complained about counterfeit products sold in agricultural input shops, a challenge the exhibition aims to address.
Timothy Mulimira, the Agricultural Officer for Kyampisi sub-county, said the area has more than 23,000 households, most of which engage in farming and livestock keeping.
Mulimira emphasized that farmers and livestock keepers will find everything they need at the exhibition, including certified seeds, seedlings, and pesticides supplied directly by manufacturers and authorized distributors. This, he said, will help farmers avoid counterfeit products that have long affected their operations.
“The exhibition comes at the right time because many farmers will be preparing for the planting season. They will leave the exhibition with practical knowledge from experts, as well as quality seeds and seedlings ready for planting,” he said.
Hakim Ssenyonga, a staff member at Kyampisi sub-county, said organizers realized that agricultural exhibitions provide an effective platform for addressing the challenges faced by farmers and livestock keepers, a fact demonstrated during last year’s event.
He noted that livestock farmers have for some time complained that tick-control chemicals available on the market are no longer effective, with ticks continuing to multiply despite treatment.
“This and many other challenges facing farmers and livestock keepers will be directly addressed during the exhibition,” he said.
Harriet Nabisiga, the sub-county Entomologist, said many people who attended last year’s exhibition, including exhibitors and ordinary residents, felt the event was too short and wanted more time. This prompted the sub-county council to make the exhibition an annual event and extend it by an additional day.
Nabisiga said visitors will have the opportunity to learn about beekeeping, its benefits, and how they can earn income from the practice.
She added that honey has numerous household benefits, including helping to treat coughs in children, burns, elephantiasis, and other ailments. She also noted that bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops, leading to higher agricultural yields without the need for excessive pesticide use.
Ronald Ssekannyo, the Parish Chief of Kyabakadde, called upon residents from both within and outside the sub-county to attend the exhibition. He said the event will bring together sub-county and district officials who will be available to answer questions and address concerns related to government service delivery.
Winnie Nassonko, another local leader, said the exhibition will also involve students from primary schools, secondary schools, and higher institutions of learning. Some schools will showcase projects developed under the new curriculum, while students will have the opportunity to learn directly from professionals in various fields.
“Teachers have often taken students to exhibitions in Kampala and Jinja every year. This time, we have brought the exhibition closer to home. We expect many students to attend, learn, and interact with experts from different sectors. We will have specialists in agriculture, livestock, finance, and representatives from banking institutions. Students should come and learn directly from these professionals,” Nassonko said.
Florence Nabisere, a sub-county staff and Paul Kalogo, the Fisheries Officer for Kyampisi sub-county, also encouraged the public to attend the three-day exhibition and take advantage of the learning opportunities available.
They noted that beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) who started various business enterprises but lack technical expertise stand to gain significantly from the exhibition through the guidance and skills that will be provided by experts.
