China to support farmers in Uganda

The Chinese government through their ambassador to Uganda, Zheng ZhuQiang is willing to give support to the farmers in Uganda.

During a meeting with the state minister for Bunyoro Affairs, Ernest Kiiza, ZhuQiang said that China is an agricultural country just like Uganda and it is willing to give support to all agricultural projects in the country and was also willing to share its experiences and lessons with Ugandans.

"Agriculture is key to economic development and especially to Uganda's economy because it contributes 25% to Uganda's GDP and 55% to Uganda's exports," ZhuQiang said as he handed over a cheque of sh10.8m to Kitara Community Development Initiative (KCDI).

He stated that the Chinese embassy is ready to cooperate with the Ugandans interested in mushroom growing and will keep giving its support because mushroom growing is capable of helping small scale farmers in supporting their families.

"We should always help those who help themselves especially those who are practicing agriculture because the president of Uganda is much supportive of those who practice farming," he said.

Kiiza expressed gratitude for the support, noting that it will help them fight unemployment which is rampant amongst the youth.

He said the government is willing to support the programme as it struggles to transform subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture which may help the country to archive middle income status by 2020.

Godwin Ntegeka the executive director of KCDI said the goal of the initiative is to empower the youth especially the unemployed ones in the Masindi community through mushroom growing.

He added that apart from mushroom growing KCDI is also supporting youth with different challenges, promoted community policing with the youth and also social support to vulnerable groups especially elderly ones.