4th Annual School Farm Camp | Gayaza High School

4th Annual School Farm camp 25th - 31st August 2017

GAYAZA HIGH SCHOOL

Background: The fourth Annual School Farm Camp supported by AVSI Foundation’s Skilling Youth for Employment in Agribusiness (SKY) project, Food and Agriculture Organization, National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) and Uganda Biosciences Information Centre took place from 25th to 31st August 2017 at Gayaza High School in Wakiso District.

425 students and 75 teachers from 35 schools across Uganda attended the farm camp this year, another opportunity for them to interact with agriculture experts and model famers, practice hands-on in dairy farming, poultry, piggery, horticulture, agro-forestry, value-addition and other modern farming practices to interest students in agriculture for business.

Under the theme “Skilling youth in agri-business in tune with wild life conservation”, the students also visited Murchison Falls National park to learn about the multifaceted relationship between agriculture and wildlife, and the complex blend of cooperation and challenges therein.

The co-existence of agriculture and wildlife is becoming increasingly important. Students therefore need to become aware of the benefits that agriculture receives from wildlife and mutually-beneficial farming practices.

Objectives: 1. To engage the youth in natural environment conservation.

2.To develop the interest of young people in agribusiness expertise.

3.To provide life-skills training for the youth.

This year was unique: The SKY project launched a modern cattle barn at Gayaza High School to assist the several schools access modern and practical dairy farming skills from both internal and visiting dairy specialists at Gayaza High School.

The facility at Gayaza High School was commissioned by Mr. Galema Anno, First Secretary Food Security and Private Sector Development in the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands.

“

The future of the youth is not an easy one, there is unemployment. However, agriculture gives us hope . Agribusiness has a potential to create employment - Galema Anno

“

Engaging youth in agriculture can provide solutions to many future challenges related to food security, urbanization, unemployment and climate change: for a learner to develop interest and passion in agriculture they should start from the very early stages in their life - Samuele O. Rizzo, SKY project Chief of Party, AVSI Foundation.

Making the farm connection: Teachers and students were provided a positive learning experience on the farm when they visited successful farmers such as Asiiri farm, Dr. Naluyima and Agromax. This visit helped them to know where their food comes from and was a tangible experience to reconnect the youth with agriculture, coach and inspire the new generation on how agriculture can change people’s lives, and how they can support local farm communities, thereby building stronger connections.

SKY-supported agribusinesses and institutions such as IBO, AGDI, JEKA, Kwagala farms facilitated the learning sessions alongside students.

The field trip also brought school subjects such as science, mathematics, geography to life through engaging hands-on activities, making a big impression on students.

“

If natural resources are not in their right state, we will not achieve sustainable agriculture - James Musinguzi, Executive Director, Uganda Wildlife Education Centre assured the youth that government of Uganda is placing effort to mainstream them in Uganda’s conservation.

While touring the farm, Hon. Seninde interacted with students and was able to see how the student’s mindsets are changing towards agriculture.

“

Let our children learn by seeing and touching and with this, Uganda will have productive citizens and a bright future - Rosemary N. Seninde, Hon. Minister of State for Primary Education.

U.S. Ambassador visited the farm camp:

“

It is our duty to help young people learn skills, see opportunities and potentials to find new ways and add value through processing and using agricultural products in innovative ways.

The Farm Camp is a great opportunity to build job creators who will bring economic opportunities for Uganda - Deborah R. Malac, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda during her visit to the student’s exhibition stalls.

The U.S. Ambassador appreciated the young people’s aspirations to participate in agriculture and encouraged them to stay engaged in farming.

Sports and farming: a contest of endurance: Exhibiting talent and determination, Maryhill High and Nyakasura School emerged top during the Sports for Agribusiness Challenge competition at the Farm Camp.

Six schools participated in the contest that helped them attain aptitudes on the playing field.

Students also took part in essay writing competitions and worn awards.

“

I joined Sports in Agribusiness because I love basketball: I know that a sportsman requires food to boost their energy to perform. - Fortunate Atukwase, Senior six (HED), Maryhill High School, Mbarara District.

Commentary:

“ “ “ “

It’s getting easier for me to relate classroom theory to practice - Samuel Mwanda, Teacher at Busoga College Mwiri, Jinja District.

Today I have no doubt that agriculture brings success. I will continue to speak with my peers about what I saw and learned during my field visit - Guma Gard, Senior five (PCM) student at Ntare School, Mbarara District.

Love, practice and be proud of agriculture - 11 year old George Ssemazzi hopes to become a veterinary doctor and concentrate on piggery and dairy farming.

Farming is certainly what I want to do in a serious way - Martha Nakiito, President, Youth Future Farmers of Africa/Senior five (BCM), Gayaza High School.

NACCRI involved students in essay writing in climate smart topics. “We want youth to start agriculture early and learn to preserve the environment”- Barbra Zawedde Mugwanya PhD., Coordinator, Uganda Biosciences Information Center/NACCRI. To deepen knowledge, organizations, schools and individual farmers exhibited diverse agricultural inputs, technologies, innovations and promising practices.

The farm camp also provided an opportunity to the students and teachers to build relationships with farmers, and hear from inspirational speakers.

AVSI FOUNDATION IN UGANDA Plot 1119 Ggaba Road P.O. Box 6785, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 312 501604 Email: communication.uganda@avsi.org ITALY Via Legnone 4, 20158 Milan, Italy Tel: +39.02.67.49.881 | Fax: +39.02.67.49.00.56 Email: milano@avsi.org www.avsi.org

For Program Information: Samuele Otim Rizzo, Chief of Party, SKY, email: samuele.rizzo@avsi.org For Partnership Opportunities: John Makoha, Country Representative, AVSI Uganda, email: john.makoha@avsi.org or Visit our website www.avsi.org / www.skyresults.com Follow SKY on Twitter: @skyAVSIUganda