Kampala to host 2017 livestock show

Nov 10, 2017

The annual livestock and heritage show (ISHAAZI) is slated for November 15-19, at the Kampala Capital City Autority KCCA grounds in Lugogo.

For the first time, it will be legal for animals such as cattle and goats to walk on the streets of Kampala city, thanks to the upcoming Uganda Livestock Show.

The annual livestock and heritage show (ISHAAZI) is slated for November 15-19, at the Kampala Capital City Autority KCCA grounds in Lugogo.

"The Kampala 2017 show will present a unique experience because the city is a central agri-business hub, where major farmers converge, reside, work, sell or buy their farm products and services," Joy Kabatsi, the state minister for animal industry said, while launching the show at The Media Centre, recently.

The minister said the show will enhance the awareness of livestock farming and its benefits to urban dwellers.

The event is organised by ULS, in partnership with KCCA, the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries through the National Genetic Resource Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) and the

Livestock Development Forum (LDF). The theme of the show is "Promoting Urban Livestock Farming for Employment."

Status of livestock sector

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), there are about 12 million cattle, 12.5 million goats, four million pigs and 40 million poultry in the country.

As far as milk production is concerned, it has grown by over 500% in the last 12 years. According to the 2013 statistics from the Dairy Development Authority (DDA), 1.86 billion litres of milk were produced, up from a few hundred million in the mid 1990s.

This rose to about two billion litres by 2016. The surge in milk production has also seen the rise of milk processing plants from three in the 1990s to 50 at the moment. Many of the plants are located within or near the cattle corridor.

The 2014 value of exported dairy products was estimated at over $13.17m.

Additionally, there is also remarkable increase in beef and goat meat production across the cattle corridor.

Showcase new breeds

According to Ben Twine, the show co-ordinator of the

Uganda Livestock Show, ISHAAZI is an annual event that mobilises and sensitizes farmers about the importance of breeding while preserving traditional farming methods and local breeds. The show is also intended to demonstrate a productive dairy, beef and indigenous farming industry.

"Our aim is to improve the existing modern and indigenous livestock farming, through education, demonstration and adoption," he explained.

Among the varieties that will be showcased include the borans, which are slowly becoming a preferred choice for ranchers in Uganda.

Originally from Kenya, the boran has now been adopted by farmers in Uganda because of its faster growth rate compared to local indigenous breeds.

"A boran bull can at least 300kg at two years.

Comparatively, it takes five years for an Ankole bull to gain at least 200kg," Dr Apollo Ataho, a rancher with Frank Farms in Ssembabule district says.

Other interesting breeds on show will be the American simmentals and Brahmans, plus the indigenous cattle for example the Ankole long horn cattle.

Among the other livestock, goats such as the savana and boer will be exhibited. Both types, from South Africa, are now a choice for farmers who want to cross with the local Mubende breeds.

While both previous two events have been held at Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara, the organisers have decided to bring the show to Kampala.

"Our plan is to exhibit across the country and this is why we are now bringing the ‘cows' to Kampala.

Twine says the ISHAAZI 2017 is targeting over 5,000 participants with over 100 exhibitors and 20 sponsors.

"If you think that you have got the best cows or goats, register them to take part in the livestock show," Kabatsi said.

Animals to be screened

According to Twine, to ensure that all the animals brought to the show meet the health standards, interested farmers should register their animals in advance.

"We have got a team of veterinary offi cers who will make prior visits to the farms to screen animals," Twine said. He further explained that the organisers will thereafter offer transport of the animals to and from the show.

The livestock show competition categories include (cattle, goats and sheep), classified in groups, categories and age.

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