Best Farmer's Competition 2018 launched today

PIC: Wakiso farmer Celia Kansiime busy in a poultry barn at her farm in Wakiso. She was among the top winners in 2016

AGRICULTURE

WAKISO - The search for Uganda's best farmers will get underway today with a launch at the farm of Celia Kansiime, one of the top winners of 2016, in Gayaza, Wakiso district.

Mish Farm, Kansiime's farm, is located at Kiwenda, just after Namulonge. At the launch, guests will take a tour of her farm, and, being the host, she will deliver her remarks.

The Vision Group-initiated contest, which open to every farmer in Uganda, is expected to attract a large pool of farmers from across the country.

Henk Jan Bakker, the Dutch ambassador to Uganda, will preside over and launch the 2018 edition.

Vision Group's Chief Executive Officer Robert Kabushenga and Editor-in-Chief Barbara Kaija will also address guests.

Dfcu and KLM, who are among the competition sponsors, will be represented.

The competition does not consider farm enterprise or size, but rather puts emphasis on farm organisation and management, knowledge of farm, plus use of innovations.

It also looks at family contribution and continuity of enterprise, environment-smart practices, for example, land and water conservation, animal waste control, social impact, access to markets, post-harvest handling and value-addition.

Basically, farmers can nominate themselves or be nominated by others by sending their names to any of the Vision Group platforms countrywide. They include New Vision, Bukedde, Rupiny, Orumuri, Etop, Arua One radio and TV West.

Nominations can also be through e-mail to harvestmoney@newvision.co.ug. To nominate by SMS, type: Farmers [space] name of farmer and send to 8338.

After the nominations, farmers will be profiled on the various platforms. Thereafter, their stories will be forwarded to the judges for assessment.

A cash prize and a sponsored study tour to The Netherlands awaits the overall top winners.