Bukenya tips on better farming methods
Sep 25, 2008
VICE-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has asked farmers to practice animal husbandry alongside crop farming in order to restore soil fertility.
By Raymond Baguma
VICE-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has asked farmers to practice animal husbandry alongside crop farming in order to restore soil fertility.
“I have seen it in Buganda. Our soils are getting exhausted because of over-cultivation. The crops especially banana plantations, are no longer flourishing,†Bukenya said.
He urged people to rear cattle alongside crop farming if they are to improve their livelihood and generate manure to fertilise the soil.
Bukenya was on Tuesday handing out 18 in-calf heifers to farmers in his Busiro North constituency in Wakiso district.
The beneficiaries were required to contribute partially (50%) towards the purchase of the heifers.
He said besides providing milk and beef, the benefits of cattle rearing were many since the animals could also be used during cultivation.
Bukenya asked the farmers to plant high-yielding banana varieties and provide adequate feeds to the livestock to reap maximum benefits.
“Let us take advantage of the proximity to Kampala and supply food, instead of matooke coming from Masaka to be sold in Kakiri,†he said.
Bukenya also asked the media to support the anti-poverty programme by encouraging the public to participate actively.
“The media should advise and provide helpful information to our farmers. It is painful to tune into a radio station only to hear people discuss issues affecting Kampala,†he added.
He observed that two years after the launch, the Prosperity-for-all programme had transformed people’s livelihood in Busiro constituency.
He said the farming households were producing more chicken and milk for both comercial and domestic purposes.
VICE-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya has asked farmers to practice animal husbandry alongside crop farming in order to restore soil fertility.
“I have seen it in Buganda. Our soils are getting exhausted because of over-cultivation. The crops especially banana plantations, are no longer flourishing,†Bukenya said.
He urged people to rear cattle alongside crop farming if they are to improve their livelihood and generate manure to fertilise the soil.
Bukenya was on Tuesday handing out 18 in-calf heifers to farmers in his Busiro North constituency in Wakiso district.
The beneficiaries were required to contribute partially (50%) towards the purchase of the heifers.
He said besides providing milk and beef, the benefits of cattle rearing were many since the animals could also be used during cultivation.
Bukenya asked the farmers to plant high-yielding banana varieties and provide adequate feeds to the livestock to reap maximum benefits.
“Let us take advantage of the proximity to Kampala and supply food, instead of matooke coming from Masaka to be sold in Kakiri,†he said.
Bukenya also asked the media to support the anti-poverty programme by encouraging the public to participate actively.
“The media should advise and provide helpful information to our farmers. It is painful to tune into a radio station only to hear people discuss issues affecting Kampala,†he added.
He observed that two years after the launch, the Prosperity-for-all programme had transformed people’s livelihood in Busiro constituency.
He said the farming households were producing more chicken and milk for both comercial and domestic purposes.