Young Farmers Federation launches farm succession guide

AGRIBUSINESS

To aid in safeguarding the future of family farms, the National Young Farmers Federal (UNYFA) on Wednesday launched the Farm Succession manual.

Denis Kabiito, the Chief Executive Officer of UNYFA, says many of the family farms in Uganda end with the proprietor because of several factors.

He adds, "The challenge is how we can make the farms sustainable and how we can bring on many young farmers to take on these farms. As UNYFA, we are suggesting that these family businesses should be transformed into strong businesses, hence coming up with the farm succession phenomenon,"

Kabiito revealed that the manual will show how the proprietor will be able to retire and prepare him for dialogue with those who are going to take over the farm. The manual also talks about the laws that govern the phenomenon of farm succession. Thirdly, the manual also talks about how the farm can be turned into a profitable business once taken over by a particular successor.

Consolata Acayo, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Agri-business, Ministry of Agriculture, says this guide will help a lot in professionalizing the farming business in Uganda, especially with the involvement of young people because they are the backbone of Agriculture in Uganda.

"I, therefore, urge parents to involve their children in farming because it is them that will carry on the legacy of that farm.

According to Muawiya Mukasa, Executive Director of Kalf Rabbitry Kapeeka, says the first time he interfaced with the farm succession phenomenon abroad, with farms that had survived for over 100 years, he realised it was the best opportunity to secure the future of his rabbit farm.

"I informed my wife about the program and we made a decision to take on the program because we did not want our children to face the same challenges we faced. We interfaced with UNYFA for training about farm succession," says Mukasa