Extension workers urged to teach modern farming
Sep 03, 2008
AgriculturaL extension workers have been urged go to the field and teach farmers modern farming skills. The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, was on Saturday speaking to district leaders in a meeting held to mark the end of his tour of Masaka district.
By Ali Mambule
AgriculturaL extension workers have been urged go to the field and teach farmers modern farming skills. The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, was on Saturday speaking to district leaders in a meeting held to mark the end of his tour of Masaka district.
The meeting was held at Bwala Social Centre in Masaka town. Bukenya said in the two weeks he had been visiting farmers in the area, he was shocked by the poor state of farms and gardens, which indicated lack of guidance.
“I am sure the extension workers are being paid but they have done little to uplift the standard of farming,†he said.
He discouraged farmers from growing cash crops like tea on small pieces of land and advised them to grow fruits, which have faster returns.
Bukenya said backcloth production, pig raring and fish farming needed more attention and advised farmers interested in bee-keeping to use modern bee-hives.
He asked the people of Masaka to utilise the microfinance institutions available to get small loans to improve their businesses.
The district chairman, Vincent Sempijja, urged the people to spend more time in their farms and to avoid waiting for the Government to provide for them.
Sempijja promised the Vice-President that the district would utilise all funds allocated to it to benefit the local people.
“We are doing everything possible to fight corruption and I am sure we shall control it and eventually stop it completely,†he pledged.
AgriculturaL extension workers have been urged go to the field and teach farmers modern farming skills. The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, was on Saturday speaking to district leaders in a meeting held to mark the end of his tour of Masaka district.
The meeting was held at Bwala Social Centre in Masaka town. Bukenya said in the two weeks he had been visiting farmers in the area, he was shocked by the poor state of farms and gardens, which indicated lack of guidance.
“I am sure the extension workers are being paid but they have done little to uplift the standard of farming,†he said.
He discouraged farmers from growing cash crops like tea on small pieces of land and advised them to grow fruits, which have faster returns.
Bukenya said backcloth production, pig raring and fish farming needed more attention and advised farmers interested in bee-keeping to use modern bee-hives.
He asked the people of Masaka to utilise the microfinance institutions available to get small loans to improve their businesses.
The district chairman, Vincent Sempijja, urged the people to spend more time in their farms and to avoid waiting for the Government to provide for them.
Sempijja promised the Vice-President that the district would utilise all funds allocated to it to benefit the local people.
“We are doing everything possible to fight corruption and I am sure we shall control it and eventually stop it completely,†he pledged.