The Prime Minister, Robina Nabbanja has tasked the technical people in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) together with the scientists under different sectors of the National Agricultural Research Organizations (NARO) to always endeavor to extend their services into the local communities.
Nabbanja said the government through MAAIF and NARO has over the time invested billions of money in different research activities which if extended into the local communities would create a lot of impact.
“It’s high time our scientists start working with the local people on their different research activities in a number of ways including providing them with different outcomes of their research after having them approved. It’s not of any value to come up with some products out of research and again keep them on you and just wait to showcase them during exhibitions,” the Prime Minister cautioned.
She made the remarks during the 5th Zuukuka Kisoboka farmer mobilization campaign in the districts of Greater Mpigi which was held at Buwama playground in Mpigi district. The campaign got participants mainly farmers from Gomba, Butambala and Mpigi districts.
It was conducted by the Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with MAAIF. The campaign aimed at providing farmers with easy access to inputs and information to boost production, productivity and profitability from agriculture.
NARO used the opportunity to disseminate technologies and information to the stakeholders in those different districts.
Other organization partners like Syova Seed Company also showcased quality seeds, inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
The farming community of more than 5000 stakeholders in Greater Mpigi that flocked the three districts on 24-26th November to access quality seed and interact with the scientists on crop and animal challenges.
The campaign seeks to connect and network stakeholders with value chain actors for increased interaction and inter-relations in business.
As farmers face challenges caused by fake seed dealers who sell low yielding seeds, the farmer mobilization campaigns offer quality seed and information to the public on how to plant and maintain the plants from planting to harvest period.
Among the NARO technologies exhibited was the resistant KR coffee lines (1-8), vegetable seed, information materials and seedlings, fish fries, pasture seed technologies, maize shellers, forage cutter, among others.
The Prime Minister campaigns are a great opportunity to address the food insecurity problem in the country through access to reliable and quality inputs like fertilizers, seeds and seedlings, knowledge sharing and technical backstopping from experts.
Nabbanja also appreciated the different agencies and called on the farmers to carry out agriculture with a business mindset.
She advised the farmers to plant high value crops like onions, coffee, bananas, maize, etc.
The event was attended by a number of high profile people including politicians like, the former trade Minister Ameria Kyaambadde, Mawokota South Constituency MP Yusufu Nsimbabi, and Mpigi Woman MP Teddy Nambooze who among other responsibilities helped in the mobilization of their constituents to attend in big numbers.
The Prime Minister also visited Resty Nakuya of Nseenene village in Butambala district who got one improved dairy animal from the government but currently has several animals and is able to sell 10 litres of milk per day.
Nakuya said that she harvests bananas from her plantation and she is able to collect sh200,000 every week.
“I am so happy and appreciative of the government for its different poverty alleviation programs more so those that pass through the agriculture sector. Agriculture being the backbone of our economy, it must be prioritized,” she said.
The Prime gave Nakuya a tractor in appreciation of her tireless efforts in agriculture saying she should start mechanizing her work so that she could increase her profits.