Toro to cross breed cattle for better yields

Dec 23, 2016

“Our farmers need to be guided and empowered to rear the breeds of cattle which suit their demand. Most famers in Toro have cows but unfortunately they are not getting the best from them,”

The King of Toro Oyo Kabamba Iguru Rukiidi IV has said that his Kingdom will in the next financial year prioritize importation of new breeds of cattle to Toro.

The King visited Banuti Ranchers Limited in Lwengo district on Thursday where he was happy to learn various cattle breeds that suit different purposes.

"Our farmers need to be guided and empowered to rear the breeds of cattle which suit their demand. Most famers in Toro have cows but unfortunately they are not getting the best from them," King Oyo said in an interview with the New Vision after touring one of the ranches under Banuti Ranchers Limited.

Banuti Ranchers Limited has over 6,000 cows with ranches that are spread across the districts of Lwengo, Sembabule, Masindi, Nakasongola and Luwero.

 arnabas and  ing yo at anuti anchers imited Nuwamanya and King Oyo at Banuti Ranchers Limited

 
Banuti Ranchers Limited has over 15 cattle breeds some of which include the Black Angus, Boran, Sahiwal, Friesian, the Ankole cattle among others.

"With cross breeding, a farmer is able to easily determine whether to practice dairy or beef farming depending on his interest and the size of land he or she has," the King stated.

The King directed that the Kingdom's line minister of farming and agriculture secures the best bulls to help in the cross breeding process.

"Our people should be able to adapt to the new way of practicing farming. It is the only way we are going to get out of poverty," he said.

The King disclosed that the Kingdom is willing to go into a partnership with some of the cattle breeders as one of the ways of speeding up the cross breeding process massively.

 ing yo during a guided tour of anuti anchers imited King Oyo during a guided tour of Banuti Ranchers Limited

 


David Sabiti, the agriculture minister Toro Kingdom observed that some of the most productive cattle breeds do not exist in Toro.

"Most cattle keepers in Toro are still rearing the local breeds. A few that are rearing the friesian are unfortunately not getting the best of them" Sabiti said.

Sabiti said that the King's idea of cross breeding all cows in Toro is the best way of empowering farmers to reap the benefits of cattle rearing.

Barnabas Nuwamanya, the Chief Executive Officer Banuti Ranchers Limited said that cross breeding helps the calf to pick the only the best qualities from the two animals which is an advantage to the farmer.

Nuwamanya however faulted government for failing to develop a policy to regulate livestock drugs and prices.

 ing yo walks past some  calves at anuti anchers imited King Oyo walks past some calves at Banuti Ranchers Limited .

 
"There are a lot of counterfeit drugs on the market. Most farmers have fallen victims and lost huge numbers of their animals," Nuwamanya said.

He also appealed to government to donate farm equipment to farmers. This he said will increase their productivity.

Nuwamanya who targets a total of 10,000 cows by the year 2020 attributes his success to the passion he as for his job.

"I believe that I was born to ranch. I enjoy staying with cattle and my passion for cattle keeping beats everything on earth" he said.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});