Kyenjojo tipped on modern farming
Jul 08, 2010
President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to adopt modern farming methods.<br>
By Hope Mafaranga
President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to adopt modern farming methods.
“Our people in the rural areas work hard but use traditional methods of production. That is why the NRM government launched the NAADS programme to train you on how to modernise agriculture and get more from your efforts,†he said.
Museveni was promoting the Prosperity-for-All programme at a public rally at Kyenjojo sub-county headquarters in Kyenjojo district on Wednesday.
The programme, implemented under the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), is aimed at fighting household poverty through modern agriculture.
Museveni cautioned rural people against being diverted by opportunistic politicians.
He said if individuals focused on improving household incomes and transforming their livelihoods, they could easily exploit infrastructure such as roads and electricity.
“When your incomes are good, you can use solar energy or trap rain water for home use in tanks because it is affordable. People were demanding roads and electricity, they are all here now. But how many of you have electricity in your homes?†he asked.
The President added that tarmac roads are only useful if people have projects that need facilitation and to add value for the markets.
He also said: “Wealth is in the rural areas. You don’t have to go to the cities to seek wealth. The Movement government introduced NAADS to help equip people with skills to exploit this wealth through modern agricultural practices and animal industry. This boosts commercialisation and enables farmers earn more money.â€
Museveni inspected the farm of Stella Birungi in Kyarusozi, who specialises in growing tea, bananas and cattle for beef. She earns over sh30m a year.
He gave her a pick-up truck to enable her transport her produce to the markets.
Museveni was hosted by another progressive farmer Miriam Kabahwezi, who specialises in pineapple wine at Ngezi village in Kyenjojo municipality.
The President also visited a group of 18 elderly farmers, engaged in banana growing and processing under their association in Bakebwa, headed by Alunga Justus and Farook Asiimwe.
He donated sh10m to Katooke Boda Boda Cyclists Association.
Before the rally, the President commissioned a $1.6m power project at Kasiina district headquarters under the rural electrification programme.
The district LC5 chairperson, James Byamukama, said: “Kyenjojo town council and adjoining areas of Butiiti, Nyantungo and Katooke sub-counties have received electricity. So far 573 people are already connected. â€
Byamukama asked the President to help the district extend power to other parts of the district.
He reported that the Government subsidised the first 500 connections at sh52,000 per customer compared to the commercial rate of sh374,000, which he said is affecting new connections.
“Business and social life in Kyenjojo has greatly improved,†Byamukama added.
The President also launched Kyenjojo FM radio station, owned by the Minister for Investments, Aston Kajara, who is also the area member of parliament.
Later, Museveni addressed another rally at Katooke sub-county headquarters in Kyarusozi.
He urged parents to sensitise their children on HIV/AIDS.
Museveni said the NRM Government had realised its responsibility of building and rehabilitating infrastructure such as roads, electricity, education, health, among others.
He urged parents to take individual responsibility for improving their family incomes, health and wellbeing.
President Yoweri Museveni has urged Ugandans to adopt modern farming methods.
“Our people in the rural areas work hard but use traditional methods of production. That is why the NRM government launched the NAADS programme to train you on how to modernise agriculture and get more from your efforts,†he said.
Museveni was promoting the Prosperity-for-All programme at a public rally at Kyenjojo sub-county headquarters in Kyenjojo district on Wednesday.
The programme, implemented under the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), is aimed at fighting household poverty through modern agriculture.
Museveni cautioned rural people against being diverted by opportunistic politicians.
He said if individuals focused on improving household incomes and transforming their livelihoods, they could easily exploit infrastructure such as roads and electricity.
“When your incomes are good, you can use solar energy or trap rain water for home use in tanks because it is affordable. People were demanding roads and electricity, they are all here now. But how many of you have electricity in your homes?†he asked.
The President added that tarmac roads are only useful if people have projects that need facilitation and to add value for the markets.
He also said: “Wealth is in the rural areas. You don’t have to go to the cities to seek wealth. The Movement government introduced NAADS to help equip people with skills to exploit this wealth through modern agricultural practices and animal industry. This boosts commercialisation and enables farmers earn more money.â€
Museveni inspected the farm of Stella Birungi in Kyarusozi, who specialises in growing tea, bananas and cattle for beef. She earns over sh30m a year.
He gave her a pick-up truck to enable her transport her produce to the markets.
Museveni was hosted by another progressive farmer Miriam Kabahwezi, who specialises in pineapple wine at Ngezi village in Kyenjojo municipality.
The President also visited a group of 18 elderly farmers, engaged in banana growing and processing under their association in Bakebwa, headed by Alunga Justus and Farook Asiimwe.
He donated sh10m to Katooke Boda Boda Cyclists Association.
Before the rally, the President commissioned a $1.6m power project at Kasiina district headquarters under the rural electrification programme.
The district LC5 chairperson, James Byamukama, said: “Kyenjojo town council and adjoining areas of Butiiti, Nyantungo and Katooke sub-counties have received electricity. So far 573 people are already connected. â€
Byamukama asked the President to help the district extend power to other parts of the district.
He reported that the Government subsidised the first 500 connections at sh52,000 per customer compared to the commercial rate of sh374,000, which he said is affecting new connections.
“Business and social life in Kyenjojo has greatly improved,†Byamukama added.
The President also launched Kyenjojo FM radio station, owned by the Minister for Investments, Aston Kajara, who is also the area member of parliament.
Later, Museveni addressed another rally at Katooke sub-county headquarters in Kyarusozi.
He urged parents to sensitise their children on HIV/AIDS.
Museveni said the NRM Government had realised its responsibility of building and rehabilitating infrastructure such as roads, electricity, education, health, among others.
He urged parents to take individual responsibility for improving their family incomes, health and wellbeing.