Minister advises schools to make agriculture compulsory

State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Christopher Kibanzanga has called upon all primary and secondary schools to make the study of agriculture compulsory to motivate the youth to join the sector.

"If we want to build our economy on agriculture, we must have our children in primary and secondary schools studying Agriculture. Schools, families, have to adopt a system of having vegetable gardens, poultry in the backyard where these children can learn besides class work," he said.

Kibanzanga was speaking after a Zero Hunger Walk to launch the World Food Day celebrations that will take place Tuesday at the Nabuin Agricultural Research Institute Nakapiratuku District and will be under the theme "A hunger free world is possible by 2030"

"Uganda is an agriculture country and over 80 percent of Ugandans are farmers, so teachers should teach our young children about farming and frankly tell them that get dirty and get money ‘' Kibanzanga advised

"Most educated people shun agriculture thinking its dirty.Let's get dirty to make money."

Kibanzanga who represented the Prime Minister Ruhakan Rugunda warned the public against criticising government instead of taking an active role to ensure food security for their households.

"As Government we need your support not the criticism. Hunger is affecting each of us, so every one of us must take up responsibility to put food on their table. Please do not boost about having a house on 10 acres without a garden or harvesting water."

He emphasized that food security is an individual effort that we ought to embrace

Hundreds of people from government, civil society organizations and schools took part in the walk to create awareness about hunger.

The director for Food Rights Alliance Agnes Kirabo said Hunger is the highest form of terrorism destroying the country.

"Hunger is now the highest form of terrorism that we need to fight. Many children in Uganda are getting malnourished due to invisible hunger," she said.

The Deputy Country representative Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called upon organizations and individuals to promote the local economy and small scale industries, especially the agro-based.