From the Editor
Nov 02, 2010
FOR several years now, the Government has been pleading with foreign investors to come and invest in Uganda’s under-exploited agricultural sector and take advantage of the country’s favourable climate and fertile soils.
FOR several years now, the Government has been pleading with foreign investors to come and invest in Uganda’s under-exploited agricultural sector and take advantage of the country’s favourable climate and fertile soils.
One reason why the Government is resorting to foreign investors is because many Ugandans are reluctant to sink their money into agriculture, claiming it is too risky. Even those who have made money in farming, would rather invest it somewhere “saferâ€.
That is why star athlete Moses Kipsiro needs to be commended for his decision to invest his earnings on the track in agriculture. The 24-year-old is growing maize and wheat on his 50-acre farm in Bukwo district, along the slopes of Mt. Elgon. He employs about 40 people on the farm and has invested in a maize mill to process his and other farmers’ maize. He has also invested in a truck to provide transport, which is crucial in this mountainous region.
When he is away training and competing, his wife stays in charge, to ensure work continues smoothly.
Uganda has many former sports stars who once made a lot of money, only to lose it all through reckless living and unwise investments. In the end, they are forced to go back to their villages to till the land that they neglected when they had the means to develop it.
Many Ugandans leave their villages every year to look for greener pastures in urban centres; some even travel abroad. The sad thing is that very few of these people return to develop their villages after making some money. Like moths, they keep flying around the dazzling urban lights until their financial wings get scorched.
Meanwhile, the Government continues begging foreign investors to come and develop the agricultural sector, which the locals have shunned.
While foreign investors with their capital and experience are welcome, there is a limit to what they can do.
We need indigenous investors; people who started out in life with nothing apart from their God-given talents and perhaps a hand hoe, just like Kipsiro.
After making some money, they need to return home and till the land, but this time with a tractor, just like Kipsiro is doing. That is how we shall develop the agricultural sector.
Andrew Ndawula Kalema
One reason why the Government is resorting to foreign investors is because many Ugandans are reluctant to sink their money into agriculture, claiming it is too risky. Even those who have made money in farming, would rather invest it somewhere “saferâ€.
That is why star athlete Moses Kipsiro needs to be commended for his decision to invest his earnings on the track in agriculture. The 24-year-old is growing maize and wheat on his 50-acre farm in Bukwo district, along the slopes of Mt. Elgon. He employs about 40 people on the farm and has invested in a maize mill to process his and other farmers’ maize. He has also invested in a truck to provide transport, which is crucial in this mountainous region.
When he is away training and competing, his wife stays in charge, to ensure work continues smoothly.
Uganda has many former sports stars who once made a lot of money, only to lose it all through reckless living and unwise investments. In the end, they are forced to go back to their villages to till the land that they neglected when they had the means to develop it.
Many Ugandans leave their villages every year to look for greener pastures in urban centres; some even travel abroad. The sad thing is that very few of these people return to develop their villages after making some money. Like moths, they keep flying around the dazzling urban lights until their financial wings get scorched.
Meanwhile, the Government continues begging foreign investors to come and develop the agricultural sector, which the locals have shunned.
While foreign investors with their capital and experience are welcome, there is a limit to what they can do.
We need indigenous investors; people who started out in life with nothing apart from their God-given talents and perhaps a hand hoe, just like Kipsiro.
After making some money, they need to return home and till the land, but this time with a tractor, just like Kipsiro is doing. That is how we shall develop the agricultural sector.
Andrew Ndawula Kalema