22nd Source of the Nile agriculture Trade Show Magazine by The East Africa Agribusiness Magazine

Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug (1914-2009)

The father of agricultural green revolution

Where is rabbitry in this year of family farming? Issue 02, July 2014

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take it to the Farmer: Family Farming for Agricultural revolution in Ugandaâ&#x20AC;? Standards compliance: Backyard farming; You can save What you need to know on vegetables yet earn an income

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Editor’s Word Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show magazine is produced and published by the Uganda National Farmers Federation and the East Africa Agribusiness Magazine Ltd and is the official Show Magazine.

Publisher

ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO: The East Africa Agribusiness Magazine Ltd P. O. Box 33752, Kampala-Uganda Tel: +256 414 223 471 /+256 200 902 012 Fax: +256 414 223 475 Email: info@ea-agribusiness.co.ug Website: www.ea-agribusiness.co.ug Rwanda: Agri Publications Ltd P. O. Box 2227, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 788 306 052 Email: rwanda@ea-agribusiness.co.ug Website: www.ea-agribusiness.co.ug In Partnership with:

Uganda National Farmers Federation P.O. Box 6213 Kampala- Uganda Tel: +256 414 230705 Show Manager: +256 704 602 035 Email: unfa@starcom.co.ug Website: http://www.unffe.org

Team Chief Executive Officer Managing Director Director Finance C.O.O (Rwanda) Executive Editor Sub Editor Project Manager Design & Layout Sales

Godrick Dambyo Peter Mugeni Wanyama

Joseph Kimezere Kelvin Odoobo Joel Ogwang Erick Wakabi Luke N. Kasolo Peter Mugeni Kasibin Francis Mutaka, Bellah Ruth Nankanja, Robert Byaruhanga

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or send an email to: info@ea-agribusiness.co.ug Opinions expressed herein represent views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect views of East Africa Agribusiness. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from East Africa Agribusiness

Taking agriculture to the farmer: Uganda is witnessing agricultural revolution!

ith more Ugandans shifting attention from peasantry into commercial agriculture, as is the ‘corporate class’, through agribusiness as their ‘password’, there is no doubt that Uganda is, slowly but surely, witnessing an ‘agricultural revolution’. The adoption of improved inputs, both seeds, machinery and others, are taking centerstage, with tractors replacing age-old rudimentary tools, especially the hand hoe, sickles and pangas in opening up land, contributing massively to the fast changing face of agriculture in Uganda today, more than ever before. And, with improved investment in infrastructure notably roads and markets, this silent revolution will, surely, transform the hitherto ‘slumbering’ agricultural sector just in time to convert the 70% of Ugandans engaging in hand-to-mouth (peasantry) farming into the 25% practicing semi- commercial and only 5% undertaking commercial agriculture. As the leading agribusiness magazine at the fore-front of this transformation in Uganda, East Africa and beyond, these are exciting times to become an ‘agriprenuer’. Resultantly, The East African Agribusiness Magazine is, most heartily, grateful to be associated with the 22nd National Agricultural and Trade Show 2014 to be held under the theme; Take it to the Farmer: Family Farming for Agricultural revolution in Uganda. The show

is a platform that is all-embracing of people from all professional backgrounds, age, political affiliations and economic statuses converging in Jinja to show-case the latest technology (inventions and innovations) in the market, share agribusiness experiences and, together, form a voice that advocates better terms for agriculturalists, with special regard to elevating the national budget share of agriculture that continues to fall way below the 10% threshold Heads of African Governments vowed to meet in their Maputo Declaration 2003, re-affirming their commitment in the Malabo Declaration 2014. As well, far from just focusing on the show, we bring you, our esteemed readers, a wide range of alternative profitable agri- enterprises from which you can choose if you are already engaging in agribusiness and/ or inspire you to join the revolution, if you hadn’t. For example, did you know that rabbitry (rearing rabbits), as a new agribusiness enterprise, can instantly turn around your fortunes? We, also, bring you the life and times of Dr. Norman Borlaug, a World Food Prize and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1970, also regarded as the “The Man Who Fed The World and Founder of the Agriculture Green Revolution”, as well as show you how to reap from backyard farming, uphold quality standards to penetrate foreign markets, cost-effective mechanisation schemes, irrigation and how to access and employ commercial and micro-credit financing in agriculture. Find all these, and many more, in only this second issue of the Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show Magazine.

JoelOgwang Executive Editor

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July 2014

Improving Livelihoods of Farm Families with the Orange Sweet Potato Orange sweet potato (OSP) plays a critical role in fighting micronutrient malnutrition in Uganda. It is rich in vitamin A which helps strengthen our eyesight and boost our immunity to disease. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps ward off the effects of aging. As a result of the HarvestPlus intervention, OSP is currently grown by over 150,000 households in over 15 districts of Uganda stretching from the northern region in Gulu, through central Uganda in Mukono to the far southwestern region in Kisoro.

John, a two year old boy in Busita in Mpasana sub county, Kibale district, is a living a testimony who is gladly eating OSP to boost his immunity as he transitions from therapeutic nutritional foods from Hoima referral hospital. “He is lively and progressively recovering from acute malnutrition to the relief of his parents who lived in despair waiting for God’s intervention,” Tadeo, a field extension officer, recounts. This has been the testimony of many farmers in the different areas with the HarvestPlus intervention. HarvestPlus program introduced OSP as a cheap, affordable and accessible source of vitamin A.

Apart from its impact on nutrition, OSP has improved farmers’ income; “OSP vines and root sales have redeemed me from poverty, look at my new house, my children are in school at Mutesa University in Kampala; where would I be without OSP?“ Purrs Mr. Lwanyaga, a vine multiplier in Mpigi District. With increasing demand of OSP, Lwanyaga has been able to sell OSP vines to different projects and farmers and increased his income.

Now that you know all this about OSP, step out, grow and eat OSP for better health and wealth!

In addition to eating OSP in its natural state, it is processed to flour and used to make different products such as cakes, doughnuts, chapatis, buns and, that way, food processors are able to cut down on sugar and wheat flour added to products, making them more nutritious while the business is more cost effective.

About us HarvestPlus is an international programme that leads a global effort to breed and disseminate staple crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals to improve nutrition and public health. Through bio-fortication, higher amounts of vitamins and minerals are conventionally bred into staples such as beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, rice, pearl millet and wheat. HarvestPlus Uganda works with seven partner NGOs to implement the developing and delivering bio-fortified crops in 15 districts of Uganda.

HarvestPlus Uganda Office Plot 15 East Naguru Road, P.O Box 28565, Kampala Uganda, Office +256 414 287 107, +256 414 285 064.

www.harvestplus.org

Issue 02, July 2014

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04 | Word from the President 05 | Message from the Chief Executive Secretary 06 | Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug: The Father of Agricultural Green Revolution (1914-2009)

10 | Standards compliance: What you need to know 12 | EAC budgets: Agriculture still a big loser 16 | How to access credit for Agricultural Financing

22 | Ugandan agriculture drawing benefits from regionally coordinated efforts

Show Programme Day and Date Monday 07 July 2014 Tuesday 08 July 2014 Wednesday 09 July 2014 Thursday 10 July 2014

Activity Show opens at 09.00 a.m. Normal Show Activities for Show goers. Official Opening by AlHaji M. Jallow FAO Resident Representative Show open for Show goers

Friday 11 July 2014

Prize giving ceremony to winners of Sasakawa Global 2000 competitions Competitions by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda Gen. Show open for Show goers Official closing of the show by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Saturday 12 July 2014 Sunday 13 July 2014

30 | With just a little more investment in irrigation, you can grow crops all-year round! 32 | Simple farm mechanisation can make a big difference! 35 | Backyard farming; you can save on vegetables yet earn an income 38 | Where is rabbitry in this year of family farming? Opinions expressed herein represent views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect views of The East Africa Agribusiness Magazine Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from The East Africa Agribusiness Magazine Limited.

Word from the UNFFE President at the 22nd National Trade and Agricultural Show 2014

n behalf of the National Executive Committee of the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) and on my behalf, I welcome all development partners, readers, exhibitors, participants, organizers and the general public to the annual farmers’ week at Jinja Show Ground under the theme “Take it to the Farmer: Family Farming for Agricultural revolution in Uganda” This year comes with another impressive theme focusing on Family Farming aimed at improving national food security by engaging in income generating agricultural practices which, we believe, highly plays a crucial role in empowering households and communities. The Show has, also, been chosen to host the international celebration of 100 years of the enormous contribution of Laurate Norman Borlaug, the Father of Agricultural Green Revolution. It is, therefore, a unique and special opportunity of marking the centurion celebrations by capitalizing on this outstanding and critical model of Family Farming which has a potential of setting a precedent in changing the face of farming in not only Uganda, but also the region and beyond. In this Show, people from all walks of life will be offered a chance to explore and learn

July 2014

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This year comes with another impressive theme focusing on Family farming aimed at improving food security by engaging in income generating agricultural practices, which we believe highly plays an important components in empowering households and communities.

about the different models of Family Farming, and how it can revolutionise agriculture after all family is the smallest but most important unit of any community. This Show will, therefore, offer a platform for technology, marketing experience and information sharing between the farmers, researchers, traders, manufacturers and the general public from Uganda and the region. I would like to thank the government and, in particular, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) for the continued support to farmers at all levels. Special mention also goes to Sasakawa Global 2000 for organizing farmers’ competitions that will be concluded at the Show Grounds during the Show Week. I would, equally, like to thank our development partners for their support during the preparation of this year’s Show. I also thank the UNFFE National Executive Committee, Show board and staff for their efforts in organizing this year’s Show. Thank you and enjoy the Show

Charles Ogang PRESIDENT, UNFFE

Message from the Chief Executive Secretary, UNFFE

o all distinguished exhibitors and Show- goers, I take this opportunity to welcome you to this year’s 22nd Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show, the first one having been organised in 1993. The theme for this year’s Show is; “Take it to the Farmer: Family Farming for Agricultural Revolution in Uganda” has two important sub-themes or statement: “Take it to the Farmer” and “Family Farming”. “Take it to the Farmer” are the last words the late Dr. Norman Borlaug spoke before he died in 2009. Dr. Borlaug was one of the founders of Sasakawa Africa Association/Sasakawa Global 2000 in 1986 with former US President, H.E. Jimmy Carter and Japanese Philanthropist, Ryoichi Sasakawa. Sasakawa aims at reducing poverty and enhancing food security of smallholder farmers by promoting improved agricultural technologies. Dr. Borlaug was a champion of Africa’s small-scale farmers and championed the fight against hunger. He is often referred to as “the Founder of the Agricultural Green Revolution.” It is also gratifying to note that 2014 celebrates 100 years (centenary) of the birth of Dr. Borlaug, and Uganda was chosen to

host the celebrations, hence the choice of Dr. Borlaug’s last words for the theme. A number of activities are lined up to mark the celebrations including debate, music, dance and drama and a farmer’s prize- giving ceremony. On behalf of the local organising committee, I welcome you all to join us for the celebrations. “Family Farming” on the other hand is based on the fact that 2014 was declared by the United Nations as the year of Family Farming. This is in recognition and appreciation of the important role Family Farming plays in ensuring household food security with surpluses for the urban markets. It is

Water pump

Maize Mill

Augustine Mwendya Chief Executive Secretary

Floating Fish Feed Machine

MACHINES WORKING HARD FOR YOU!!! Diesel Generators Wood Working Machines Agricultural Machines Power Tools Petrol Generators Walking Tractors Water pumps Construction machines

also a recognised fact that the bulk of the crop exports from Uganda are an aggregate of smallholder production. So, in brief, this year’s theme is emphasising the need to take productivity enhancing technologies to the family farmer so that agriculture can be revolutionised. It is, therefore, my strong belief that the exhibits put in place will provide Show- goers with all the technologies they may need to revolutionise agriculture. I thank the exhibitors for putting up such a nice Show. I also thank the Show- goers for keeping the exhibitors busy. For the government institutions, I say, thank you for being such good partners in our endeavour to develop the Agriculture Sector in Uganda. Please enjoy the Show and let us meet in July 2015 for the 23rd edition of the Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show.

Rice Mill Tractor

Rice Machine combine

Walking Tractor

Changefa Diesel generator

Plot 24 Jinja Road Opp. Bank of Africa Tel: +256 776 288 222, +256 776 288 666, +256 702 226282 www.ea-agribusiness.co.ug

July 2014

Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug The Father of Agricultural Green Revolution (1914-2009)

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“Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world. There are no miracles in agricultural production... Man can and must prevent the tragedy of famine in the future instead of merely trying with pious regret to salvage the human wreckage of the famine, as he has so often done in the past. The forgotten world is made up primarily of the developing nations where most of the people, comprising more than fifty percent of the total world population, live in poverty, with hunger as a constant companion and fear of famine a continual menace.” – Dr. Norman E. Borlaug By Kasibin Francis Mutaka

osting the international celebrations of the centenary anniversary of Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug is one of reasons the 22nd Source of the Nile National Agricultural and Trade Show at Jinja showground (7th -13th July 2014) is being held under the theme; “Take it to the Farmer: Family farming for Agricultural Revolution in Uganda”. Dr. Borlaug is the founder of The World Food Prize and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1970. Prof. Ruth Onjang’o of Sasakawa Africa Association where Dr. Borlaug was the president till his death says of the fallen icon; “the noble laureate was a renowned champion of Africa’s small-scale famers and a fighter against hunger.” He, too, says 2014 is a special year in the agriculture calendar. “It (2014) has been named the African Union Year for Agriculture

and Food Security,” he says. “It is also the year of family farming for the UN” Dr. Borlaug’s humanitarian and scientific achievements in preventing hunger, misery and famine kept starvation millions of people around the world at bay, especially in least developing nations, Uganda inclusive. His enormous works through the Green Revolution in food production have gone on to influence the lives of farmers’ world over. It is no wonder, it’s said that he “saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived.” A scientist with outstanding contributions, Dr. Borlaug’s greatest achievement was arguably his unending struggle to integrate the various streams of agricultural research into viable technologies as well as convince political leaders to bring these advances into fruition. He, too, continually advocated for increased crop yields as a means to curb deforestation in communities. Simply put, Dr. Borlaug was, and remains, the central figure in the “green revolution”, with his influence stretching to more than 30 countries where individual governments honoured him, as did universities, scientific societies and farmers’ associations.

But who was Dr. Norman Ernest Borlaug? Borlaug was born to Henry and Clara Borlaug on March 25, 1914. He grew up in a small farming community in northeast Iowa, US, called Cresco. He was a Norwegian by descent. He obtained initial education in a one-room rural school house, learned his work ethic on a small mixed crop and livestock family farm. In his high school and college days, Dr. Borlaug was an athlete. In 1937, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Forestry. At the age of 27 in 1942, he received his PhD from the University of Minnesota, US, having taken up the study of plant pathology. Upon graduation, Borlaug worked as a Microbiologist for E.I. Dupont de Nemours until he was released from his wartime service. In 1944, Borlaug participated in the Rockefeller Foundation’s pioneering technical assistance program in Mexico where he was a research scientist in charge of wheat improvement under the cooperative Mexican Agricultural Program till 1960. For the next sixteen years, he worked to solve a series of wheat production problems that were limiting wheat cultivation in Mexico and to help train a whole generation of young

Mexican scientists. He later acted as a consultant to Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture and was assigned to the Inter-American Food Crop Program as an associate director of the Rockefeller Foundation. With the establishment of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico in 1963, Borlaug assumed leadership of the Wheat Program, a position he held until his retirement in 1979. He, nonetheless, remained a resident part-time consultant until his on September 12, 2009.. He spent most of his working life in Mexico where he undertook the painstaking research to develop new types of high-yielding and disease-resistant wheat varieties. For 27 years, Borlaug collaborated with Mexican scientists on problems of wheat improvement. For ten of those years, he collaborated with scientists from other parts of the world, especially India and Pakistan, in adapting the new wheat varieties to new lands and, in so doing, gaining acceptance for their production. Borlaug worked in Mexico in the 1940s and 1950s to make the country self-sufficient in grain, recommending improved methods of cultivation and developed a robust strain of wheat - dwarf wheat - that was adapted to Mexican conditions. By 1956, the country had become self-sufficient in wheat production. Through his numerous works, Borlaug, an American biologist, humanitarian and Nobel laureate, was variously christened “the father of the Green Revolution”, “agriculture’s greatest spokesperson” and “The Man Who Saved A Billion Lives”. He is one of seven people to have won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medaland also awarded to Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour.

Impact of his works It is said that Borlaug “saved more lives than any other person who ever lived.” How and why did he do this? In the 1940s and 1950s, Borlaug introduced new wheat varieties and improved crop management practices, transforming agricultural production in Mexico and, later, in Latin America and Asia. This was a result of his research stations and farmer’s fields in Mexico where he developed successive generations of wheat varieties with broad and stable disease resistance, broad ad-

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July 2014

8 aptation to growing conditions across many degrees of latitude and with exceedingly high yield potential. These achievements prevented hunger, famine and misery around the world and, above all, sparked off what is today known as the “Green Revolution.” This profoundly impacted on Borlaug’s life and philosophy of agricultural research and development thus positively impacting on agricultural production. Borlaug’s new wheat varieties and accompanying improvements in crop management practices revolutionized wheat production in Mexico since the mid-1950s. By the mid-1960s, he was taking the technical components of the Mexican wheat technology to Asia, sparking the so-called “Green Revolution” in wheat production in India and Pakistan. Between 1964 and 2001, wheat production in India rose from 12 to 75 million tons, while wheat production in Pakistan increased from 4.5 to 22 million tons. The Green Revolution in food production made possible by Borlaug’s work has touched the lives of many farmers in other parts of Asia, as well as Latin America and many developed countries. In 1983, Borlaug joined as a distinguished Professor of International Agriculture at Texas A & M University. In 1988, he became President of the Sasakawa Africa Association and a Senior Consultant to Sasakawa Global 2000. From 1990-92, he was a member of the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology. He also served on many advisory boards, including the international juries of the annual World Food Prize, sponsored by the John T. Ruan Foundation, and the annual Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger, sponsored by the Hunger Project. Success in Mexico made Borlaug a much sought-after adviser to countries whose food production was not keeping pace with their population growth. In the mid-1960s, he introduced dwarf wheat into India and Pakistan, and production increased enormously. The expression “the green revolution” made Borlaug’s name known beyond scientific circles, but he always emphasized that he himself was only part of a team.

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in the Toluca valley, about 40 miles (65 km) west of Mexico City. A chauffeur took her to the fields to inform her husband. According to his daughter, Jeanie Laube, “My mom said, ‘You won the Nobel Peace Prize,’ and he said, ‘No, I haven’t’ ... It took some convincing ... He thought the whole thing was a hoax”. He was awarded the prize on December 10. In his Nobel Lecture the following day, he speculated on his award: “When the Nobel Peace Prize Committee designated me the recipient of the 1970 award for my contribution to the ‘green revolution’, they were in effect, I believe, selecting an individual to symbolize the vital role of agriculture and food production in a world that is hungry, both for bread and for peace”. kasibinfrancism@yahoo.com fkasibin@eaagribusiness.co.ug

Honours, Attributes, Awards & Achievements In over 30 countries, Borlaug has been honoured by governments, universities, scientific societiesand farmers’ associations, including the Uganda National Farmers’ Federation (UNFFE) in 2014. The Borlaug Summit on Wheat for Food Security (25-28 March 2014 in Ciudad Obregón) celebrates his life and legacy, and also brings global hunger stakeholders together in a “call to arms” for the next Green Revolution. An eclectic, pragmatic, goal-oriented scientist, Dr. Borlaug accepted and discarded methods or results in a constant search for more fruitful and effective ones, while at the same time avoiding the pursuit of what he called “academic butterflies”. A vigorous man who performed prodigies of manual labour in the fields, he brought to his work the body and competitive spirit of the trained athlete, which indeed he was in his high school and college days. He was a much sought-after adviser to many countries that had to strike a balance between their population growth and food production, thus being a warm adherent of birth control. For his contributions to the world food supply, Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. Norwegian officials notified his wife in Mexico City at 4:00 am, but Borlaug had already left for the test fields

aBi TRUST

aBi • UMOJA HOUSE • Plot 20, Nakasero Road • Kampala (U) • Tel: +256 312 351600 Fax: +256 (0) 312 351620 • Email:info@abitrust.com • www.abitrust.com

Roasting of coffee beans at Kyagalanyi coffee factory in Kapchorwa. Standards compliance is still a challenge for most Ugandan firms, yet a prerequisitye for accessing lucrative foreign markets.

Standards compliance: What you need to know By Eric Wakabi

gricultural products’ quality and safety are important issues to everyone, everywhere. As tariff and non-tariff related barriers to agribusiness continue to unblock through trade liberalisation, regional integration and globalisation, non-policy barriers to trade, like standards and quality requirements, are increasingly gaining significance. Ugandan farmers’ products, therefore, have to comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) quality standards to access the much coveted foreign markets. According to Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), standards are documents that contain technical and other requirements that products and services have to comply with. These requirements could include design, mate-

July 2014

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rial, performance, manufacturing and testing requirements (packaging and labelling). Standards are the result of a consultative process involving all interested parties in a consensus manner. They are a representation of the current state of technology and are updated to ensure their continuous applicability. Generally, standards published every five years are reviewed and either re-affirmed, revised or withdrawn. Agriculture being the most important export sector in Uganda, contributing nearly 50% of the total exports in 2013, the sector needs to comply with WTO standards for export products if it is to carry thrive. With UNBS figures showing that the agriculture employ over 70% of Uganda’s labour-force, standards are significant drivers to improve the process of value addition, especially to the

export crops. Local farmers who want to enter the global market need to have the right certifications and endorsements for their products to favourably compete on the international market. Even with growth in agricultural exports, improvement in institutional reforms and increased productivity, Ugandan farmers have continued to have limited access to markets in developed economies due to low key agricultural products. According to the World Bank’s 2008 Development Report, poor access to roads, electricity, and, generally, inadequate infrastructure, adds to transaction costs in all agricultural value chains and cause quality deterioration and high spoilage losses. The report adds that inadequate and inef-

11 ficient on-farm post harvest storage hampers bulking, while group storage is limited by inadequate and expensive storage facilities as well as an unpredictable power supply, which all affect the quality of the products on the world market. As a result, smallholder farmers in Uganda are facing increased competition from the high quality products from elsewhere in the world due to the evolution of export value chains. Much as they receive the least benefits from the marketing and processing of their products, agricultural exports in Uganda revolve around rural producers and processors. According to WTO agreements series, members are required to notify other countries of any new or changed sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements which affect trade. Members must be open to scrutiny regarding how they apply their food safety, animal and plant health regulations. Despite its limited capacity, Uganda has taken a number of steps to comply with and implement the WTO agreement. So what is the capacity of the bodies in Uganda to enforce these standards? The Department of Crop Protection (DCP)and the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and UNBS are the bodies responsible for regulating, formulating and enforcing mandatory standards compliance in Uganda. Established by an Act of Parliament No. 1 of 1983, UNBS is a semi-autonomous body under the Ministry of Trade that became operational in 1989 with a mandate of promoting standardisation and related activities in Uganda. In his research paper, Uganda’s Challenges in complying with WTO agreement, Nichodemus Ruhaderanwa, an economist at Makerere University’s Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC), argues that the current legislation and penalties by UNBS are outdated and cannot be sufficient to ensure WTO standards. “The UNBS Act which was passed in 1983 but the business climate has changed since then and penalties set at that time are no longer a sufficient deterrent measures,” he says. Elizabeth Kyomugisha, a senior research assistant with the Kampala office of the International Food Policy Research Institute, couldn’t agree more. In her research paper; Value chains for agriculture exports in Uganda, she says that it is very hard to implement export standards because Uganda lacks the capacity.

“Despite increasingly stringent quality standards in global export markets, Uganda lacks the capacity to develop and enforce the rules of product of the quality expectations of export markets and compliance to those requirements and regulations. The provision of business development and financial services also are critical in this regard,” reads part of the document. Kyomugisha recommends programs which provide information for business development, establish sustainable group lending activities to finance export commodity production and processing and provide links to banks, input suppliers and markets, will all help smallholder farmers and rural processors in Uganda to participate profitably in export commodity value chains. Such initiatives include the Agribusiness

Tress Buchanayandi, the minister of Agriculture, animal industry and fisheries

acceptable standards for local and international markets. Zhana says that aBi Trust also seeks to build the capacity of monitoring agencies that are promoting better standards and monitoring the quality of products in Uganda. In June 2013, Amelia Kyambadde, the trade, industry and cooperatives minister, re-commissioned the pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) programme after months of suspension from its initial launch. PVoC is an inspection and verification programme carried out on goods by appointed inspection agents in the country of export. Verification of compliance to technical regulations and standards is provided for in Article 5 of WTO agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). PVoC was designed in accordance with

Amelia Kyambadde, the minister of trade, industry and cooperatives

Initiative Trust (aBi Trust), a multi-donor entity jointly founded by the Governments of Denmark and Uganda, that initiative helps to support market-driven enterprises using a value chain approach for specific commodity groups. It enables them improve opportunities to access financial services and markets for business opportunities. According to Josephine Zhana, the aBi Trust commutations officer, they provide trade related Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary (SPS), quality management systems for farmers and market development information for value chain development and export quality standards compliance. “We aim at increasing trade opportunities through improved enterprise-level supply side management in the area of SPS standards and quality management.” She says, adding that the effort will make Ugandan agricultural products more competitive and better able to meet

Svend K. Jensen, aBi Trust Chief Executive Officer

the provisions of Article 5 of the TBT Agreement and in compliance with the notification requirements of WTO. According to Kyambadde, the objective of PVoC is to minimize the risk of unsafe and substandard goods entering Uganda and protect consumers against dangerous, shoddy and substandard imported products. Some of these poor products end up in the value addition process of Uganda’s agricultural exports, making them susceptibility of low key products. Since Uganda’s agricultural exports heavily depends on foreign markets, the country has had to change her policy stance on agricultural exports’ standards through upgrading of landing sites, establishing testing laboratories in order to create a traceable system that allows the identification of the origin and destination of any product.

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July 2014

EAC budgets: Agriculture still a big loser By Eric Wakabi East African countries have still fallen short of raising their country’s annual budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector to at least 10% under the 2003 Maputo Declaration fast-tracked under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) framework and Malabo 2~~Declaration 2014.

n the avow held under the auspices of the African Union (AU), the African Heads of States pledged to increase their countries’ expenditure on agriculture to 10% of their total resources envelopes, a feat that would enable the continent attain a 6% food production growth by 2015. The 10% budgetary increase would also enable these countries to fast-track the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Goal 1 that targets eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. If their respective 2014/2015 budgets jointly read on June 12th, 2014 are anything to go by, then this commitment remains a dream. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report 2012, agriculture continues to have the greatest impact on food security, poverty eradication and remains the principle engine of economic growth in East Africa. So how does this fact reflect in the national budgets of the East African countries? While agriculture dominates their economies, contributing a vast portion to their GDP and employing well over 75% of the national population aged above 10 years, public spending on the sector is still low as reflected in the individual national budgets of the EAC countries.

Uganda The agriculture sector in Uganda, contributing almost 21% of GDP, is to get a paltry 2.9% of the entire national budget in 2014/15 FY. While Uganda increased the agriculture sector budget from sh382.7b to sh440.7b, the real concern is that government has still not provided adequate budgetary allocation to match the optimism raised by Hon. Maria Kiwanuka’s budget speech and President Yoweri Museveni’s State of the Nation Address, referring to agriculture as a key productive sector.

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Uganda: Hon. Maria kiwanuka

In her FY 2013/14 budget speech, Kiwanuka projected the total 2014/15 FY resource inflows at shs15, 44 bn. Shs12, 299 bn (81.8% of the total budget) of this would be from domestic revenue sources while shs 9, 577bn will be from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) tax collections and shs206 bn from Non-Tax Revenues. The Government’s move to slap taxes on agricultural implements is dreadful, according to experts, a move that could discourage growth of the sector and, resultantly, ‘kill’ it. Some of the tax proposals on agriculture commodities are contrary to Kenya’s 2014/15 FY decisions for the agriculture sector where Kshs 3bn has been allocated for inputs. Scrapping of exemptions on the agricultural products could discourage growth and kill the sector which is still grappling with meagre budgetary allocations.

Kenya: Hon. Anthony Rotich

The government has terminated exemption on interest income on agricultural loans. The measure is expected to generate sh251b, however. The list of terminated exemptions with effect from 1st July 2014 include:■■ Supply of feeds for poultry and livestock ■■ Supply of agriculture and diary machinery ■■ Supply of packaging materials to the diary and milling Industries ■■ Supply of specialized vehicles, plant and machinery services and civil works related to roads and bridges construction, agriculture, water, education and health. These measures are projected to generate sh215b and the details are contained in the VAT (Amendment Bill) 2014. Termination of the exemptions on VAT zerorated supplies with effect from 1st July 2014:-

13 ■■ Supply of cereals, grown, milled or produced in Uganda ■■ Supply of processed milk and milk products ■■ Supply of machinery and tools for agriculture ■■ Supply of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and hoes

Rwanda The country’s 2014/15 FY budget is estimated at Rwf1.75trillion ($2.6bn) yet she is the smallest in East Africa. Growth in the agriculture sector is projected to increase from 3% in 2014

minister of finance Amb. Claver Gatete noted during his budget speech in Kigali.

Kenya Agriculture remains the core of Kenya’s economy. The sector contributes about 25% of GDP and about 75% of industrial raw inputs. In 2014/2015 FY budget, the Kenyan Government’s priority are similar to the previous year’s, namely; food security, increased productivity and commercialisation of Kenyan agriculture amid irrigation.

ward to increasing employment opportunities in the sector and, for this reason, the Treasury has set aside Ksh 0.3 billion for the revival of the Pyrethrum industry and same amount for establishment of Free Disease Zone. Kenya has focused attention on agriculture to increase food production and reduce the cost of living in the country. Due to its significant contribution to the GDP, investments in agriculture provide the best option for the government to achieve equitable growth in the medium term.

Tanzania

Rwanda: Amb. Claver Gatete

Tanzania: Hon. Saada Mkuya Salum

to 5% in 2015 due to various stimulus packages proposed by the government. A 2009 situational analysis of the agriculture sector conducted by the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) noted that the Rwandan economy is, and will remain for the foreseeable future, heavily dependent on the agricultural sector employing around 90% of the population, providing 91% of the food consumed in the country, contributing 36% of GDP and accounting for 70% of revenue from exports. “Agriculture happens to be the main sector in the country that involves a big percentage of the population but most especially the rural people but the sector still faces a lot of challenges and this is why the government is developing different strategies that can help look into the different agriculture challenges, ” the Rwandan

It is notable that in 2013/2014 FY, the budget focused on scaling-up of irrigable land through Sh3 bn , a seed capital of Sh2 billion was injected into the Agribusiness Fund towards improving farmers’ access to credit. With half year 2013/14 absorption rate of 61% as well as inadequate rainfall, agricultural performance and growth rate declined from 4.2% in 2012 to 2.9% in 2013. Sh53.3 billion for agricultural services and Sh1 billion for an agribusiness seed fund and Sh9.5 billion for expansion and construction of irrigation projects countrywide was provided for in the new 2014/2015FY. As highlighted by Cabinet Finance Secretary, Anthony Rotich, Ksh 9.5 billion has been set aside for the on-going irrigation projects in the country. The Kenyan government is also looking for-

Agriculture sector forms one of the key sectors in Tanzania for several reasons. Amongst these the fact that the sector employs more than half of the country’s population (74%) and it contributes 24.8% and 24.7% to the GDP in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Tanzania allocated 6.5% of the national budget to agriculture in 2014/2015 FY. A total of sh1, 084.7 bn is set aside for strengthening irrigation infrastructure in various area, construction of warehouses and markets, availability of loans for promotion of food and cash crops production. The Tanzanian minister of finance Hon. Saada Mkuya Salum said her Government will continue to investment in extension services by strengthening agricultural research institutes and ensuring that there is adequate number of extension services officers and provision of better seeds and seedlings. This measure, she said, would enhance production of crops, food security and ensure availability of reliable markets. The minister proposed the following taxes on agricultural products; Today, approximately 80% of Tanzanians are employed by the agriculture sector, which accounts for half of the national income and three quarters of the merchandise exports in the country. It is estimated that agriculture accounts for more than 25% of Tanzania’s GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 80% of the work force. According to the recently published Growth Africa 2014 Report, Tanzania Agricultural GDP grew by 3.4% in 2011. In 2013 1,049 new jobs in agriculture were created, with $9.7 million of investments made in the sector.

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No matter what size or type of financing need, you can count on Stanbic Agriculture finance, season after season, in good and tough times. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll work with you to find solutions that meet your needs. Stanbic Bank provides credit for all types of agricultural-related enterprises. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re experts in the field, with a long-term commitment to agriculture and commercial specialists who know how to work through the details. Our significant lending capacity and competitive cost of capital mean we can provide diverse loan packages for any size of business. Stanbic Bank offers a wide range of finance, investment and risk management solutions across the entire agriculture value chain. They range from primary production, agro processing, distribution and marketing that include but not limited to: * Agriculture Commodity trade and export, Stanbic Bank provides tailor made trade finance solutions to meet your specific needs including: Trade finance export facility; Collateral managed Agriculture commodity ware housing facility; Bills on collection; Import and export trade. * Companies involved in the production of grain and oilseeds, cotton, vegetables, tobacco, Tea and other fruits * Companies that own and/or process poultry and other meat products; * Agro processing machinery (e.g Production plant

in the Tea, Milk, Fruit processing Industries) and specialised agricultural vehicles e.g tractors, milk coolers, e.t.c; * Construction e.g warehouses, Silos, Breweries and distilleries; * Businesses involved in the production of flowers; * Dairy processing and dairy product manufacturing (cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc.) companies; * Grain processing companies that produce food products or ingredients; * Coffee and Cotton trade and warehousing companies; * Fruit and vegetable packing or processing companies; * Tobacco trade, warehousing and marketing companies. Why talk to us * Our sector specialists have in-depth knowledge of the agribusiness sector and its supplychain, with a particular focus on emerging markets. * Our dedicated relationship managers manage and coordinate access to all products, services and expertise throughout the bank to provide holistic financing solutions. * We customise innovative solutions to meet your specific needs. * Our extensive footprint across Africa and emerging markets globally positions us to facilitate financial solutions for agribusiness customers within and between continents * We provide short term, medium term, long term and project financing at competitive interest rates as low as 12% for Ugx loans.

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How to access credit for Agricultural Financing The Agriculture Credit Facility (ACF) was set up in 2009 by the Government of Uganda (GoU) in partnership with Commercial Banks, Uganda Development Bank Ltd (UDBL), Micro Deposit Taking Institutions (MDIs) and Credit Institutions, all refered to as Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs). Funds are contributed by both GoU and PFIs, each contributing 50% of the total loan to the eligible borrower (1:1 ratio).

he Scheme which operates under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by all the stakeholders provides medium and long-term loans to projects engaged in agriculture and agroprocessing on more favourable terms than are usually available from the Financial Institutions. Bank of Uganda (BoU) plays the role of the Fund Administrator.

Eligible Purposes The Schemeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core objective is to support agricultural expansion and modernisation through value addition along the agricultural value chain. The loans under the ACF are extended to private sector businesses or individuals engaged in agriculture and agroprocessing of raw materials and intermediate products originating from crop and livestock production, fish farming, poultry keeping/ farming and bee-keeping. The eligible purposes include; acquisition of machinery for agriculture and agroprocessing, post harvest handling equipment, storage facilities/Warehouses for storage of agricultural produce and any other activity related to agriculture and agroprocessing. A maximum of up to 20 percent of the total project cost can be used to finance inputs/working capital that mainly include fertilizers, pesticides, etc required for primary production. The facility however, does not finance working capital for trading in agriculture commodities, purchase of land, forestry and financing existing loan facilities.

Loan Terms and Conditions The ACF loans are disbursed to farmers and agro- processors through the PFIs on

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Bank of Uganda, one of the key partners in agricultural financing.

Soft drinks made by the Makerere Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department of Food Science and Technology. With increased access to agricultural financing, value addition in agribusiness will be enhanced. the following terms; The loans are designated in Uganda Shillings The maximum loan amount to a single borrower is up to Shs. 2.1billion. How-

ever; this amount can be increased up to Shs 5billion on a case by case basis (for eligible projects that add significant value to the agriculture sector and the economy as a whole).There is no minimum loan

17 The chart below gives the details of the areas funded

amount to the final beneficiary. The maximum loan tenure is 8years including a grace period of up to 3years and the minimum loan tenure is 6months. The interest rate charged by the PFI to the final beneficiary is up to a maximum of 12 percent per annum. The GoU contribution is disbursed to the PFIs at no interest (interest free) as an incentive to lend to the agricultural sector. The loan administration fees charged by the PFIs to eligible borrowers should not exceed 0.5 percent of the total loan amount. Legal and documentation costs are however borne by the borrower.

Procedure of accessing the facility

Where to apply

GoU contribution.

Areas Funded The facility benefits commercial farmers, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and farmer associations/groups that comprise mainly of out growers. Most of the SMEs include those involved in poultry farming, fruit growing, acquisition of tractors for land opening and milk coolers among others. Through the provision of medium and long term credit to eligible projects under more favourable terms than usually available on the market, the ACF has indeed played a big role in promoting the agricultural sector.

Potential borrowers should apply through the PFI of their choice. These are: ■■ ABC CAPITAL BANK ■■ BARCLAYS BANK ■■ BANK OF AFRICA ■■ BANK OF BARODA ■■ CAIRO BANK ■■ CRANE BANK ■■ CENTENARY BANK ■■ CITI BANK ■■ DIAMOND TRUST BANK ■■ DFCU BANK ■■ ECOBANK ■■ EQUITY ■■ FINA BANK ■■ FINCA ■■ GLOBAL TRUST BANK ■■ HOUSING FINANCE BANK ■■ KENYA COMMERCIAL BANK ■■ MERCANTILE BANK ■■ ORIENT BANK ■■ POST BANK ■■ PRIDE MICROFINANCE ■■ STANBIC BANK ■■ STANDARD CHARTERED BANK ■■ TROPICAL BANK ■■ UDBL ■■ UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA ■■ UGANDA FINANCE TRUST ■■ IMPERIAL BANK ■■ OPPORTUNITY BANK (U)LTD

The ACF is a refinance facility where the PFIs upon appraisal of the eligible projects extend loans to the borrower and thereafter claim re-imbursement from BoU for the GoU contribution. Below is the procedure for accessing the facility; Client submits a bankable proposal through any of the PFIs mentioned above The PFI appraises/analyses the project to ascertain existence,eligibility,feasibilty and viability prior to sanctioning the loan in accordance with the ACF guidelines Upon satisfaction, the PFI sanctions the facility and extends the loan to the eligible borrower The PFI submits the relevant documentation to BoU for re-imbursement of the

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SASAKAWA AFRICA ASSOCIATION (SAA) SASAKAWA GLOBAL 2000 –UGANDA (SG2000-U) Founded in 1986 by Norman Borlaug, Jimmy Carter & Ryoichi Sasakawa Background

PROGRAM THEMES

Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is an Non-Governmental Organisation founded by Mr. Roichi Sasakawa, H.E Jimmy Carter and Dr. Norman Borloug. In 1996, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SAA and the Government of Uganda (GoU), represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), with the aim of transferring improved agricultural technologies to boost food security and household incomes. With funding from Nippon Foundation since 1997, SG 2000 has operated in 43 districts, 383 sub counties, mobilized over 300 extension staff, CBFs, reached over 100,000 smallholder households (60% women).

Theme 1: Crop Productivity Enhancement

Vision

Involves setting up of Farmer Learning Platforms (FLPs) which include; Technology Option Plots (TOPs) & Women Assisted Demonstrations (WADs) where recommended agronomic practices, appropriate technologies including fertilizer applications are compared against farmers’ practices; Production Test Plots (PTPs)/ adopters Seed primimg as a strategy to mitigate climate change effects and Community Variety Plots (CVPs) where different varieties are compared under recommended practices to create awareness about new varieties and their performance. These enable farmers to test, discuss, evaluate and validate the advantages and disadvantages of new technologies under local farming conditions and learning by doing. Community based facilitators (CBFs) complement mainstream government extension services for smallholder farmers’ advisory service delivery.

A more food-secure Uganda with increasing number of prospering smallholder commercial farmers.

Mission To transform Uganda’s agricultural extension advisory services to ensure greater family food security and more profitable participation in commercial activities along the value chain while respecting natural resources.

SG 2000 – Uganda Program Phases 1997 - 2001: Focused on crop demonstrations, on-farm research, seed multiplication, post-harvest handling, animal traction, input delivery, savings and credit.

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2001 - 2008: Focused on farmer institution capacity building that led to establishment of One Stop Center Associations (OSCAs) and Enterprise Development on Quality Protein Maize (QPM), New rice for Africa (NERICA), Legumes-pigeon peas, cowpeas, groundnuts, beans, sim-sim, cassava, sweet potatoes; Postharvest and agroprocessing

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2009 - to date: The five-year expanded program with a focus on crop productivity enhancement; postharvest handling and agroprocessing; public-private partnerships and market access, extension education; monitoring, evaluation, learning and sharing

■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Establishing Farmer Learning Platforms Farmer ownership Farmers participation Women involvement Grass root extension agents Improved income and food security

Theme 2: Postharvest and Agro- processing (PHAP) Promotes economically viable value-adding postharvest and agroprocessing technologies in clearly defined crop value chains with the aim of improving food security, nutrition and incomes of smallholder farmers. The theme focuses on promoting technolo-

gies that improve quality and quantity of produce to the required market standards at the same time reduce postharvest losses. Promoting Value-addition Activities for: ■■ Improved product quality ■■ Reduced postharvest losses ■■ Improved food security and nutrition ■■ Improved farmers’ incomes ■■ Development of PHAP enterprises

Theme 3: Public-Private Partnerships for extension delivery & Improved Market Access (PPP&MA). SG2000 Uganda works with various partners and stakeholders that support agriculture at various levels of the value chain. Partnerships harness both human and financial resources for sustainable agricultural development. The partnerships’ aim is to establish viable market linkages for the smallholder farmers and a network of private input dealers, and develop workable business models that allow sustainable agricultural enterprises.

facilitated the early and mid-career extension workers to improve their skills through refresher courses in agriculture extension as well as upgrading to degree levels. To ensure that SAA is an evidence based organization, MELS is mandated to periodically undertake and also evaluate SG2000, Uganda activities on the ground; assess, document, share lessons learnt and report impacts on smallholder farmers and partners, carry out needs assessments, and baseline surveys in new intervention areas. ■■ A functional MELS sytem is for ■■ Documenting evidence ■■ Information exchange with stakeholders ■■ Evidence-based decisions for Impact

Theme 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Sharing (MELS) ■■ Developing Partnerships & Linkages for: ■■ Improved farmers’ access to agricultural inputs ■■ Strengthening of farmer-based organizations for economic empowerment & sustainability. ■■ Supporting public and private sector to provide extension services ■■ Brokering producers market alliance ■■ Promoting financial linkages to key stakeholders

THE ONE STOP CENTER ASSOCIATION (OSCA) CONCEPT

Theme 4: Human Resource Development Human resource development aims to upgrade academic and skills level of collaborating extension workers. Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) and SG2000-Uganda through Makerere University, School of Agriculture and Environment has

In its endeavor to empower farmers and establish sustainable value chains for the selected enterprises within rural communities, SG2000 initiated the One Stop Centre Association (OSCA) concept. An OSCA is a community based Farmers’ Organization that is links farmers to services through a multipurpose infrastructure that: (i) Aggregates demands for agricultural services to reduce transaction costs (ii) Builds entrepreneurial capacity to run services on a commercially viable and sustainable basis. Additional services may include (where required and affordable) rural finance, Adult literacy training, health care and other social services. (iii) Integrates and strengthens institutional arrangements for key services such as inputs delivery, production, agroprocessing and produce marketing. (iv) Bridges the gap between the poor and the rich by bringing services

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20 closer to everyone in the community and making them more affordable. The approach was initiated by SG2000-Uganda as a way of building the capacity of farmers to access services from various sources (public and private). It is a tool aimed at sustaining the services of any program (eg SG2000) within a community beyond its period and improving farmers’ access to markets and increase household income.

KEY RESULTS ■■ Introduced quality protein maize (QPM) and NERICA rice series in partnership with WARDA, CIMMYT, JICA, and National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and Nalweyo Seed Company (NASECO). ■■ Promoted NERICA Rice in partnership with Office of the Vice President in Uganda. ■■ Contributed to evolution of the Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) and subsequent formation of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). ■■ Under Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE), 176 mid-career extension agents have graduated from Makerere University. ■■ Spear headed formation of Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the Uganda chapter Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS). ■■ Established and operationalized 13 One Stop Centres (over 10,000 members- 57% women) as access points to multiple services leading to markets. ■■ Over 50,000 farmers engaged in various commercial enterprises. ■■ Initiated Development of rural agricultural inputs stockists networks which gave birth to Uganda National Agro-Dealers Association (UNADA) in partnership with USAID-IDEA project and Appropriate Technology (AT)-Uganda. ■■ Took lead in establishment of community seed multiplication systems on a cost recovery basis. ■■ Over 441 savings and credit organisations established with farmer groups ■■ Initiated Farmer-Village Agent / Trader model collaboration with aBi Trust that has increased farmers’ access to agriculture inputs and remunerative markets ■■ Initiated Japanese Oversees Volunteers (JOCVs) scheme and internship program for local and international students. ■■ Initiated the mobile farmer training / learning & soil testing laboratory to improve on quality and quantity of produce in partnership with K+S GmbH-Germany. ■■ Won various national and international recognitions and awards for demonstrating appropriate value chain innovations in National Agricultural Shows and Exhibitions, improving the food security in Uganda and development of the agricultural sector and development and dissemination of drought tolerant maize in East Africa ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

MAAIF: Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries JICA: Japan International Cooperation Agency NARO: National Agricultural Research Organization NAADS: National Agricultural Advisory Services Makerere University School of Agriculture and Environment UNFFE: Uganda National Farmers Federation

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■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

aBi Trust: Agribusiness Initiative Trust IDEA: Investment in Developing Export Agriculture APEP: Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Program Balton Uganda Twiga Chemicals Sunrise Commodities Advent Commodities East African Breweries Ltd Savannah Commodities Upland Rice Millers Tropical Crop Initiative NASECO Seeds Victoria Seeds Pearl Seeds UNADA: Uganda National Input Dealers Association UIRI: Uganda Industrial Research Institute EUCORD: European Co-operation for Rural Development AFAAS: African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services Savannah Commodities Sanyu Commodities Agro-Empowerment Upland Rice Millers

■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

K+S Kali GmbH- Germany CIMMYT ICRISAT UNDP USAID WFP Feed The Future

SG 2000 — UGANDA Plot 15A, Clement Hill Road, Ruth Towers P.O. Box 6987, Kampala, Uganda Tel.: +256 312-261180, +256 414-345497 E-mail: sg2000uganda@saa-safe.org Website: http://www.saa.tokyo.org

Agripreneurs, Uganda’s new Entrepreneurs!

By Enoth Mbeine,

Leaving a well paying corporate job to go into farming is, often, tough decision and, for many a Ugandan, this may sound crazy, attracting scorn but that is exactly what Jeff Kimbugwe (not real names) did! From his savings, the 42 year-old acquired 25 acres of land in Mukono and is now into large scale agriculture. “Although I was earning a good pay, I was unhappy and dissatisfied with the daily routine of work,” Kimbugwe says. “But, now, I am seeing many opportunities ahead.” Together with his wife, the couple has identified lucrative markets for their products in the neighboring schools, hospitals and supermarkets in Mukono and Kampala. “I am now looking at tapping into European markets to take advantage of specialty and niche markets,” he purrs.

ike Kimbugwe, Simon Isingoma (not real names), aged 44, also resigned his job two years ago and ventured into farming. Together with his wife, they managed to buy three acres of land in Nakawuka, Wakiso District where they are currently running a successful poultry project. “I should have left my former job long time ago,” he says. “I have managed to turn my hobby into a cash making venture. I am enjoying what I am doing.” There is a growing list of many such examples as Kimbugwe and Isingoma in Uganda today, than before. These people represent a new vision of dynamic and hopeful generation that is helping to change the face of agriculture in Uganda. Call them agriculture change agents! Many people, especially the youth, associate the agriculture sector with stigma of poverty and lack of education. However, farming is fast becoming attractive for people who have been working in corporate organizations as they are normally filled with ambition and drive. “The agriculture sector is now ripe. Running a farm comes with a lot of fun. I feel that there is more security in running my own operations. I also now have more time for my family”, says Rosemary Namubiru, a farmer based in Kasangati, Wakiso who resigned from her NGO job three years ago. Many other new agricultural entrepreneurs are venturing into

value addition through processing and packaging. Promoting value addition not only enhances export competitiveness, but also helps farmers fetch high prices from their products than if they sold it in raw form, as many still do. Some of the industries with value addition opportunities include; grains and their products, dairy and dairy products, meat and meat products and coffee, among others. There are currently many private companies that have invested in production of quality seeds and fertilizers, food processing, establishment of agricultural market information systems e.g. INFOTRADE and financial products which are a perquisite for value addition. Starting an agricultural enterprise, like other businesses, has its risks. For starters, agribusinesses are complex enterprises that integrate agricultural production, value-added processing, packaging, distribution and marketing activities. Thus, they entail greater risk than simple farming, and require specific skills and experience. The rewards are, however, immense especially with the current high demand of food in Uganda and the East African region. So, are you planning retirement? Are you in a state of uncertainty at the workplace due to increasing number of lay-offs? Are you among the many employees who have become disenchanted with employers who are normally quick

to let their peers go when the times are tough? You can use your current employment to mobilize savings and, together with the real world corporate experience, you can begin to plan joining this emerging trend when the time is ripe. The Government, private sector and support agencies involved in agribusiness development should embrace this trend by vigorously taking on various initiatives to create access to opportunities for this

new generation of entrepreneurs, agriprenuers! This type of more business-oriented agriculture and the development of small agri-business sector is an important driver of food security, both at homestead and national levels, export expansion and hence economic growth and development. Enoth Mbeine, Senior Consultant, Business Development ServicesFIT Uganda Ltd enoth@fituganda.com

Lithcraft

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Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

The Crop Production and Marketing Department The Crop production and marketing department under the Ministry of agriculture, Animal industry and fisheries, is a section which supports sustainable, market oriented crop production, value addition and nutrition; for improved food and nutrition, security and household incomes.

Specific objectives are; ■ To formulate and review Policies, standards, Strategies and plans on crop production, post harvest handling, primary processing, marketing and food and nutrition security. ■ To support the transfer of improved and appropriate crop production and marketing technologies to service providers, processors, traders and consumers. ■ To collaborate with the meteorological department, National, regional and international food and Agricultural surveillance institutions and organizations for early warning on climate change and food security. ■ To provide quality assurance on good Agricultural practices and advisory services on crop production, primary processing, marketing, food and nutrition. ■ To build capacity of service providers on crop production, primary processing, marketing, food and nutrition. ■ To support the provision of improved seed/planting materials and sustainable use of natural resources. ■ To establish a food and Nutrition Surveillance System in the Country ■ To develop and guide implementation of programs for integration of the youth in crop production, primary processing and marketing. ■ To collaborate with research and other organizations at National, regional and International level in crop development and production activities.

Hon. Tress Bucyanayandi (MP), Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Hon. Tress Bucyanayandi, Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Hon. Bright Rwamirama, State Minister for Animal Resources

Hon. Zerubabel Mijumbi Nyiira, State Minister for Crop Resources

Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, State Minister for Fisheries Resources

The Crop production and marketing department is exhibiting at this year’s source of the Nile Agriculture and Trade Show. Below is a Q&A about the departments’ aims and expectation from the show. What is your main goal for participating in this year’s Nile Agriculture and Trade Show? To Revolutionalise Family Farming for Improved Crop Production, Household Food, Nutrition and Income security. Our specific objectives are; a). To showcase MAAIF’s services to the public b). To sensitize and demonstrate to the population the various activities along the value chains, right from production to value addition and utilization especially of the priority crop commodities. As policy makers, what are you going to exhibit this year? We will exhibit posters of commodity value chains. For instance, (banana, maize, rice, beans, citrus, mangoes, and pineapple); nutrition poster, banners, and maize manuals. We will also showcase product (banana) value chain. How can the crop production and marketing department help to transform the farmer? Our mandate is: “To promote and support sustainable and market oriented agricultural production, food security and household incomes”. What are some of the policies and strategies you have lately initiated or reviewed to improve food crops production and marketing? We have set up the Urban Agriculture policy; the Cassava policy; Nutrition manual for Agriculture Extension Workers How have agencies that participate in improving production and quality of cash crops helped? Currently, we no longer tag a specific crop to be a cash crop. The original ideology no longer works. They have developed new varieties which are disease free e.g. the cassava mosaic free varieties, development of nutrient rich varieties through bio-fortification e.g. the Iron

Kawanda Research Station official David Talengera explains how the banana variety was developed. rich beans, Orange fleshed sweet potatoes, development of high yielding crop varieties e.g NERICA rice. Dissemination of these technologies for up scaling especially through NAADS. What is your take on value addition and marketing as pertains the Ugandan market? To operationalise the agriculture sector Development Investment Plan (DSIP), the ministry is pursuing the commodity approach which focuses on two guiding principles. i.e; 1) ensuring food security and; 2) increasing exports. The following commodities have been prioritized; coffee, tea, banana, cassava, maize, beans, rice, fruits, vegetables, dairy, beef/ meat and fish. These commodities are being

supported with the aim of value addition and promoting commercialisation. How are you planning to improve the capacity of service providers on crop production, primary processing, storage and marketing in the country? Through capacity building (Training of trainers) of extension workers and value chain actors. How do you ensure quality assurance on good Agricultural practices and advisory services on crop production? Through monitoring, supervision and backstopping of Local government production extension staff

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UGANDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST RELIABLE SUPPLIER OF ORIGINAL AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT

When it comes to original agricultural equipment, look no further than ENGSOL. For over 12 years, we have been known as Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preferred supplier of reliable and high quality agricultural equipment: Massey Ferguson tractors and combines; Tatu, Agromaster and Sumo implements; Falcon slashers; Frame grain silos; grain driers and threshers; Spirax Sarco steam and fluid systems; agricultural trailer and bowser fabrication; metal fabrication (tanks, cellars, mud pits etc.) and container conversions.

Ugandan agriculture drawing benefits from regionally coordinated efforts For over 20 years now, Ugandan scientists have partnered with colleagues in 11 other countries in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) to develop and disseminate technologies and innovations that address common challenges to agriculture, which challenges would have been difficult to address by individual country initiatives.

stablished in 1994, ASARECA works in 11 countries: Uganda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and Tanzania. The ASARECA headquarters are in Entebbe, Uganda. ASARECA spearheads collaboration among scientists and development researchers in the region to address common problems that affect our farmers. Over the last five years alone, ASARECA has invested US$69 million in Eastern and Central Africa to address challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases, declining soil fertility, diminishing natural resources, restrictive agricultural policies, access to regional markets and low agricultural productivity, among others. Being one of the ASARECA member countries, Uganda, benefited a lot from collaborative initiatives to address the challenges, some of which are highlighted below:

Promoting Quality Protein maize ASARECA and partners have rapidly scaledup the use of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and DR Congo. In Uganda, these efforts have been piloted in the districts of Lira and Gulu where acute malnutrition was reported following the 20 plus years of LRA insurgency. Farmers have adopted the varieties and are producing QPM grain for nutrition and for income. It is estimated that about 30% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer from protein-energy malnutrition. The majority of people consume insufficient amounts of protein because foods that are rich in protein such as milk, meat, fish, eggs, beans are relatively expensive compared to staple foods like maize. QPM is providing hope to al-

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in Gulu district. ASARECA has empowered farmers in Gulu to produce and sell value added products such as cakes, doughnuts, mandazi, chapattis, biscuits, chips, crisps and juice and porridge made out of OFSP flour. OFSP potatoes are a healthy and cheaper source of vitamin A for children and breast feeding mothers compared to relatively expensive sources such as fish, liver, milk and eggs. Vitamin A deficiency reduces disease resistance, impairs growth, increases mortality and can lead to blindness.

Livestock and cropsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the excellent mix A bumper Quality Protein Maize (QPM) harvest in Lira, Uganda. leviate this situation. It is an improved variety of maize which contains 70-100% more lysine and building blocks of proteins than normal maize varieties.

Outscaling OFSP, the darling potato ASARECA and partners are outscaling the adoption of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. In Uganda, OFSP has been adopted in a number of sub-counties

Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) juice.

A woman zero grassing a cross breed in Masaka district.

ASARECA and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) are promoting the use of smallholder crop-livestock innovations to improve efficiency and the quality of production to boost food security and income for farmers in Uganda and other countries. In addition, ASARECA is promoting land and water management technologies and practices. The innovations include rain water harvesting to facilitate year-round vegetable production, and drip irrigation innovations and application of compost manure.

27 Besides, ASARECA is encouraging farmers to diversify livestock feeding using fodder such as Gliricidia, Calliandra, and Sesbania. For example, a number of farmers in Masaka and Ngora district are earning income, and their household nutrition has improved because of these innovations. One farmer in Masaka district, Mr. Peter Ddaki, testifies to the benefits of this work. “I get about 41 litres of milk daily from my three dairy cows. We keep six litres for home consumption and sell about 35 litres daily. This gives us about Ushs 35,000 (US$15) in daily income and about Ushs 1 million ($430) monthly, “say Ddaki.

Fighting cassava’s top enemy, Cassava Brown Streak Disease

Uganda, DR Congo, Madagascar, Rwanda and Tanzania, ASARECA worked with NARO through the Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) to produce an information resource kit to control the spread of the disease. The kit was launched recently by the Agriculture Minister, Tress Buchanayandi. CBSD is a devastating disease of the cassava crop which is spreading fast in Eastern and Central Africa, including Uganda. It causes serious reduction to cassava harvest and in some cases total crop loss.

Harmonised seed policies begin to bear fruit ASARECA has worked closely with the governments in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Burundi, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Madagascar and Sudan to rationalize and harmonize regulatory and legal frameworks for the seed industry in the region. The efforts are already bearing fruit. Local seed production in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania has tripled from 43,000 to about 122,000 tonnes between 2002 and 2008. In Uganda and Kenya, exports increased from less 1,000 to more than 3,000 tonnes in the same period. Private sector involvement in variety breeding and release has increased the number of high performing seed varieties on the market.

Subduing Striga, the enemy of sorghum

A woman displays a good cassava harvest Efforts to increase the productivity of cassava, the number two staple crop in Africa, have received a boost over the recent years following the release of information materials to control the spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), the worst constraint to the production of cassava. As part of regional efforts bringing together researchers from

Four newly released varieties of sorghum that are resistant to Striga, a stubborn parasitic weed that has for years undermined sorghum yields in Uganda and other countries in the region, are being tested in Uganda and Kenya. In Uganda the varieties have been found to be compatible with our soil and have been accepted by the farmers in eastern Uganda following research by Naro. Striga has the capacity to destroy up to 100% of the potential yield of sorghum, millet and other serials. But this will be no more following the recent release of these varieties by ASARECA and the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) of Sudan in a research in which Ugandan scientists formed part of the collaborative research.

Giving cassava, potato passports and visas to move Besides, fighting the cassava diseases, opportunities for farmers in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda are set to expand

Top: One of the newly released varieties of sorghum. Below: A garden of sorghum devastated by Striga. following the approval of 11 rationalised and harmonized standards for cassava and sweet potato by the East African Community. This means that cassava products meeting the standards can now be traded freely in the four countries, hence fetching premium prices. ASARECA in collaboration with the governments of the four countries, the private sector and standards institutions started developing the standards in 2006 to allow the inclusion of cassava and potato products in the production of high value industrial products such as confectionery and animal feeds and promote trade in cassava and potato products. ASARECA particularly worked with the Uganda Bureau of Standards to start off the process of developing the standards from scratch. These highlights are just a few of the many activities that ASARECA is supporting in Uganda. ASARECA joins the Uganda National Farmers Federation and the entire agricultural value chain actors in the ongoing 22nd Source of the Nile Trade and Agricultural Show. For more information about ASARECA supported activities, please visit www.asareca. org

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July 2014

Bringing an End to Hunger, Poverty Unimaginable Approaches – How Who we are Heifer International is not-for-profit organization founded in 1944 in the United States of America, works with resource constrained families in 128 countries worldwide to develop innovative solutions to the underlying causes of hunger, poverty and environmental degradation. Heifer International began its work in Uganda in 1982, with the main focus of assisting resource constrained families improve their nutrition status and income through training and provision of livestock and other resources depending on suitability and ability to profitably manage the enterprise. To date, Heifer Uganda has impacted the lives of 1.5 million families directly and 5.6 million persons have been reached indirectly through the program. “Today, millions of people who were once hungry have been nourished by milk, eggs and fresh vegetables. Families who for generations knew only poverty have built new homes and started businesses. Children who once headed out to the fields to do backbreaking work are now heading into schoolrooms to study. And people who never thought they’d be in a position to help someone else are now experiencing the joy of charitable giving”, William Matovu – Country Director Heifer International Uganda.What we do in the country

What we do in the country Currently, Heifer International in Uganda is working in 68 Districts across the country, supporting over 40 projects, comprised of 135 producer organizations/ cooperatives reaching 1.5 families directly and 5.6 million persons indirectly with different interventions. The key activities in these projects include the following:■■ Placement of different livestock species:- in-calf dairy heifers, Dairy goats, meat goats, cross bred-meat goats, Pigs, oxen, Bee hives and oxen. ■■ Training: Integrated livestock farming- Animal and crop husbandry; Organizational development (Capacity development). ■■ Enterprise development: Milk coolers/Chilling Plants, & mini diaries; Diversification of household income generating projects. ■■ Livestock services: Agricultural supplies; Artificial Insemination (Quality semen straws) ■■ Environmental management (agro-ecology): Tree planting; Improved stoves; Biogas construction; wild life conservation; Water harvesting, Home hygiene and Sanitation; Establishment of kitchen gardens with varieties of vegetables, and fruits. Climate change ■■ Advocacy and awareness raising: social mobilization, gender equity, HIV/AIDS, Environmental Protection; Human nutrition and Family Planning, pro-farmers policies and practice influence

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Livestock donated to families are a source of pride

The mystery hidden behind our success With Heifer’s proven approach – more than 30 years in the making – to helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income. ■■ “Twelve cornerstones for just and sustainable development”, denoted by the acronym; PASSING on the GIFTS, guide our efforts to end hunger, poverty and care for the earth. Passing on the gift mechanism has a greater multiplier effect and allows sharing of resources amongst community members, leading to greater cohesion and participation; ■■ Providing of Long-Term and sustainable Solutions emphasizing community involvement and community transition from vulnerability to sustainability; ■■ Environment and Sustainable Development is taught to our project recipients to help them achieve sustainable agricultural production;

y and Environmental Degradation through Heifer International Uganda has done it ■■ Animal Well-Being guidelines are strictly reinforced with professional veterinary trained staff to ensure proper animal management. Heifer International provides high-quality livestock, training and related support to families and communities to assist with food security and improve livelihoods. Heifer provides training and extension services so families can improve animal housing, management, breeding, nutrition and veterinary health. Animals receive humane handling and protection while providing food, wool, honey, and draft power. To date, Heifer International Uganda is applauded in-country as the first international organization to introduce the zero grazing system as one of the animal well-being strategies; ■■ Disaster Rehabilitation, with long-term, sustainable development the goal of Heifer’s rehabilitation projects.

Nutrition and ensuring food security is key in Heifer interventions.

Program Impact ■ ■ Heifer has empowered families with adaptable trainings that aim at improving their livelihoods; ■ ■ Improved nutrition and incomes – increased milk (good

health especially in children and sale of surplus milk, animal and farm produce) ■ ■ Community transformation has been ensured through attitudinal change of the mindset amongst the communities supported. ■ ■ Families have become credit worth to financial institution due to the fact that they now have the ability to offer collateral for loans in form of livestock, chilling plants, etc; ■ ■ Capacity building for families-have adopted integrated farming methods ■ ■ Hope and dignity restored through ownership of animalsHeifer Uganda targets resource poor households. ■ ■ Reintegration of demobilized soldiers and their families into civilian life. ■ ■ Strengthening of Cooperative Societies and Farmers Groups ■ ■ Beneficiaries provide knowledge and practical skills in animal agriculture to other families ■ ■ Model farmers become an inspiration to aspiring beneficiaries in the communities. ■ ■ Farmers are now source of quality animals and animal products at a reasonable market price. ■ ■ Introduction of dairy goats as an alternative source of milk especially for the HIV/AIDs affected and infected families. ■ ■ Increased and Improved National Herd of Exotic Animals. ■ ■ Improved breeding facilities through the use of quality semen and quality breeding bulls. ■ ■ Improved environment through tree planting, soil and water conservation practices. ■ ■ Introduction of the use of biogas technology, as an alternative source of energy. ■ ■ Use or organic manure (bio-slurry) to improve soil fertility and thus organic farming for improved crop and vegetable yields; ■ ■ Conservation farming methods to control soil erosion and retain moisture-contour bunds in the gardens/fields are promoted ■ ■ Energy saving techniques are promoted for example the use of energy saving stoves

For more information about Heifer International Uganda, please contact Plot 6, Clement Hill Road, | Nakasero, Kampala | P.O.Box 28491, Kampala Telephone/Fax: +256-414-231828/+256-414-251455|Email:heifer@heiferuganda.org Website: www.heifer.org

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July 2014

Afri Banana Products (U) Ltd Afri Banana Products (U) Ltd is an agribusiness incubation company formed as a consortium. Afri Banana Products is registered as a company limited by guarantee. The consortium is lead by the Kyambogo University, with FREVASEMA, Excel Hort Consultants Limited, Adaptive Seed Company Limited, Ecofriendly Innovations Development Centre and Green Heat (U) Ltd as its members. Afri Banana Products is an agribusiness innovation incubator for banana sector value-chain development. The incubator aims at up-scaling innovations to improve entrepreneurial skills, marketing value chains with emphasis on capacity building for increased production, development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s), training in entrepreneurship and agribusiness at Bachelors of Science B.Sc) and Masters of Science (M.Sc) levels, linking of research innovations to agribusiness and marketing of banana and its value added products. This is achieved through training and mentoring, identification and/or development of viable research innovations and linkage to agribusiness, information generation and dissemination, community mobilization and market linkages, provision of business services to Incubate SMEs, setting up a consortium comprising membership from Universities, Research Institutions, Private Sector Companies and Government Support Agencies. Afri Banana Products Ltd is established with the following objectives • To identify and promote entrepreneurs to take up different agribusinesses in the banana value chain

including production of Tissue culture seedlings, Matooke, Banana fibre products, briquettes and biogas using banana peel and other wastes etc through incubation. • To establish a single window system to promote entrepreneurs in the Banana value chain. • To guide entrepreneurs through incubation and provide services including technology transfer to turn them into successful agribusiness ventures. • To provide market linkages to entrepreneurs so as to enable them to realise better prices for their products. • To undertake capacity building programs so as to attract youth, students, farmers groups to take up agribusiness ventures.

Our Vision

To become a global leader in Banana Value Chain Development in agribusiness by promoting agro entrepreneurs through agribusiness incubation.

Our Mission

To employ Agribusiness Innovation and skills to enhance banana and banana by-products value addition and trade.

Our Goals

We promise to; • Provide opportunity for employment and link young graduates with the private sector. • Mobilize SMEs to participate in banana value chain development and trade. • Develop and support gender sensitive entrepreneur development.

Afri Banana Products (U) Ltd Charles Lwanga Road , Minister’s village - Ntinda P. O. Box 37368 Kampala | Telephone: +256-772-603-449 Email: info@afribananaproducts.com | Website: http://afribananaproducts.com/

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Conservation Farming has changed my Life - Sayuni Conservation Farming is touching women, changing lives

yangoma Sayuni is a 38 year old single mother who toils to make ends meet for a family of eight. For years, she cultivated two acres of land using traditional methods but with no gain; she was uncertain of how she would provide basic needs for her family. One day, a neighbor invited her to a community meeting at ‘Mukama Asiimwe’ Cooperative. Nyangoma attended the meeting and found that other women were in her same situation. As a result of this meeting, she and another 29 members, 16 of whom are women, were invited to be trained by the NCBA CLUSA field team in Conservation Farming principles including crop rotation, soil cover and minimum soil disturbance as part of an economic growth program funded by the American People through the United States Department of Agriculture. “I opted for the new farming approach on one acre of land because it reduces labor costs while increases yield,” said Nyangoma. At harvest, she discovered that her labor cost was reduced by 50% compared to the traditional approach; while her maize yield increased from 960kg to 1800kgs, reflecting an 88% increase. The income Nyangoma earned from the sale of maize was re-invested back into Conservation Farming in the subsequent season by hiring more land and purchasing inputs. She realized a profit of $445 from the sale of 3,560kg from the two acres. With this profit, she enrolled two children in a boarding school; she also opened a merchandise shop and bought a motorcycle for a taxi business. “Conservation Farming turned my tears to joy. Now 9 of the 16 women have adopted the practice after witnessing the significant increase in my yields.” – Nyangoma Sayuni “I do not live in uncertainty like before, the yields from conservation farming feed my children,” Nyangoma explains. Nyangoma is now a leading woman of ‘Mukama Asiimwe’ Cooperative and to-

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Training of farmers in conservation farming practices in Kole District.

Nyangoma Sayuni with her children and Mother gether the members have created a Village Savings and Loan Scheme where they save and borrow for furthering their conservation farming practices.

Her advice to fellow women is to join a cooperative to support one another to more ably compete in farming.

Uganda Conservation Farming Initiative Enhanced Food Security for Uganda October 2011 - June 2015 Budget: $8.4 million SHORT-TERM IMPACT Working with 60,000 farmers with an adoption rate of 58 percent; • Farmers yield will increase by 100 percent in three seasons • Agro-input suppliers revenue will increase by 75 percent in three seasons • Tiller service providers will earn a revenue of USD 143,173 for ripping services while tool manufacturers earn USD 113,111 in conservation farming tool sales in three seasons

PARTNERS ● Government of Uganda ● Private sector ● USAID funded Implementors ● ● Agro input companies ● equipment manufacturers ● ● Uganda Carbon Bureau

Background

funded by the American people through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

of maize, pulses and soybeans.

“Because of the training I received from CLUSA I am now able to earn

● ● ● Improve manufacturing links and tools

● ● ● Facilitate business plans at bulking centers ● priced products and services ● “My Husband and I have adopted money on labor costs.” Mrs Odong Sarah Oyima Farmers

● ● ●

Kampala Oﬃce: Plot No. 25 Luthuli Rise, Bugolobi, Kampala +256 (0) 414 505 525, +256 (0) 312202810/11, Email: Inquiries@ClusaUganda.co.ug, Website:www.NCBA.coop USA Oﬃce: 1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20005, +1 703 524 1739

services using ripping in my neighborhood.” Opiyo Sam Tiller Service Provider(TSP) Masindi District

With just a little more investment in irrigation, you can grow crops all-year round!

W W

ith the current oscillations in weather patterns largely due to climate change, it is harder for farmers to predict when to expect rains and, thus, plant seeds since most Ugandans, both in the peasantry and commercial agriculture, rely on Mother Nature’s providence to water their crops. Rain-fed agriculture has its own limitations, as most farmers will attest, especially in the modern times, all due to over exploitation of natural endowments. However, with just a little more investment in irrigation, a farmer can continue relying on rain but, also, have an alternative to fall-back to should it fail, ensuring that s/he grows crops all-year round without speculating about the dry seasons Well, simple irrigation systems that have been handed down through generations but are not yet a big tradition in Uganda can help farmers to continue with active agriculture throughout the year. There are basically five types of irrigation: ■■ Surface irrigation where the entire or much of the crop area is flooded; ■■ Sprinkler irrigation which imitates rainfall; ■■ Drip irrigation where water is dripped onto the soil above the root zone only; ■■ Underground irrigation of the root zone by means of porous pots or pipes placed in the soil; and ■■ Sub-irrigation where the groundwater level is raised sufficiently to dampen the root zone. Crop fields can use two important traditional methods of irrigation using the range of low-tech engineering. Bamboo pipes irrigate rice fields along with a series of clay dams and waterway channels that can be used to flood or drain fields as necessary for the harvest and planting seasons Traditional irrigation methods such as

July 2014

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Dirp irrigation of a cabbage garden. canals have been built by local residents to draw water from the small streams that originate from hill springs. The springs are the only reliable sources of water in a number of locales ■■ Pits: Similar to tank irrigation systems, traditional pits made of rocks collect rainwater seeping through rocks. It can be built near the foot of a hill with a dug tunnel and steps leading inside through the basin of water. Multiple pits may be constructed but, ideally, the water gets collected in the lowermost pit. These structures do not provide water directly to the fields; the water needs to be carried to the locations. ■■ Wells: The implementation of the well design requires digging a hole to provide a perennial “soft water” supply. The “soft water” is most appropriate for irrigation because, often, it has a lower salt level. Most traditional systems, such as diversion channels and well irrigation, do not require extensive and complicated maintenance and operation. These systems rely on available natural resources, particularly the water source. ■■ Bucket kits. These are tailor-made for home gardens. They are based on the Chapin Bucket System and cost approximately UGX 60,000.

Each bucket kit comprises a 20 litre household bucket installed on a pole at shoulder height. The bucket is fitted with a 10m lateral line and is filled two to four times a day. The single lateral line has 26 micro-tubes attached and each waters four vegetable plants, irrigating 50 m2, enough to provide vegetables for a family. ■■ Drum kits: Use a 200-litre drum made of steel or plastic and costs about UGX 100,000 and irrigates a 125 m2 plot. Water is supplied through a simple filter and supplies five 10 mlaterals each fitted with 26 micro-tubes. Micro sprinkler kits are suitable for farmers with access to a pressurized water supply. Each comprises 15 micro sprinklers with laterals and can irrigate up to 250 m2 at a cost of US$25. It is well suited to a small garden growing a range of vegetables. Overhead sprinkler kits comprise two sprinklers on tripods with pipes and rely on the availability of a pressurized water supply, e.g. a domestic 0.4 kW (0.5 hp) pump. Its costs US$30 with the pump estimated to cost UGX 400,000. It is well suited to field crops such as wheat, vegetables and soybeans.

Compiled By Eric Wakabi

A woman uses a walking tractor to open up farm land in Karamoja.

Simple farm mechanisation can make a big difference! By Wakabi Eric Agricultural mechanization in Uganda is largely associated exclusively with tractors and other sophisticated agricultural machinery. In reality and, particularly in developing countries, the term covers all levels of technology from the simplest and most basic (hand tools) to the most sophisticated and heavy-duty machinery.

hat is very important in mechanisation is the ability of the technology involved to meet the real needs of farmers and whether or not they can be used efficiently and effectively as well as their financial viability. Ironically, increasing levels of mechanization doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily mean big investments in tractors and other farm machinery, but involves shifting to an alternative combination of the use of land, capital and labour which results in improved

July 2014

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farm incomes either through increased output, reduced costs or a combination of the two. Manual technology (the use of hand tools and manually powered machines) relies upon human beings as the source of power. There is a very wide array of tools and hand machines used in agriculture, including hand tools like machetes, hoes, spades, forks, axes and knives, but also machines such as manually-powered winnowers and seed drills,

two wheel tractors, two row grain seeders and animal traction equipment.

Hand operated corn winnower The corn winnower machine has wide ranging applications according to a variety of crops with different capacity of weight. The maize winnower works not only by manually controlled, but also electrical motor. The grain winnowing machine works with wind speed to get the efficient sorting and

Hand operated corn winnower

winnowing of the plumpness of seeds (blighted worm eaten and mouldy grains) and the wastes (stalks, leaves and husks etc.).The maize winnowing machine operates easily and safely with an added beautiful outlook. The machine works with high efficiency and low fuel consumption.

Animal traction Animal traction is often seen as an outdated and backward technology. Therefore, rapid agricultural development is often taken to imply the bypassing of the animal-traction stage and going directly from hand tools to the use of tractors and other purchased inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. This should not be the case as so many people do not have enough money to directly purchase powered tractors, given the minimal adoption of modern technologies used elsewhere; methods of re-introducing appropriate animal-powered technologies should be explored. There is considerable evidence to show that by replacing and augmenting human power with animal traction, the total cultivated area can be expanded and labour productivity increased . The rate of work achieved by work animals varies considerably but can be from 5 to 20 times greater than manual labour.

Two row grain seeders This is a simple hand operated machinery used in planting of grains like maize, ground-nuts and others. Its advantages are that the seed placement is more consistent. With even plant spacing, cob development

Animal traction: The use of oxen in opening farm land is more rewarding than a hand hoe.

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38 implements. A two-wheeled tractor specializes in pulling any of numerous types of implements, whereas rotary tillers specialize in soil tillage with their dedicated digging tools. For agriculture production, past and present, twowheel tractors are offered with wide range attachments such as rotovators, mouldboard, disc-plough and spike-tooth harrows, seeders, transplanters, and planters. As small-holder farming continues to play a major key role in Ugandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural sector, mechanisation is inevitable, but it has Two row grain seeders

Grain winnowing machine is uniform. When corn plants are too close together, cobs are delayed and, normally, do not fill properly. When there is a significant space between plants from an air-seeder, it causes zero yields in those spaces, hurting average yields in any crop. Proper seeding depth will allow the seeds to germinate at the same time and, hopefully, emerge at the same time. Ideally, seed should be placed between one and one-quarter and one and three-quarters of an inch deep.

Two wheel tractors A two-wheel hand tractor or walking tractor is simply a tractor with one axle, self-powered and self-propelled which can pull and power various farm implements such as a trailer, cultivator or harrow, a plough, or various seeders and harvesters. The operator usually walks behind it or rides the implement being towed. Similar terms are mistakenly applied to the household rotary tiller or power tiller. Although these may be wheeled and/or selfpropelled, they are not tailored for towing

July 2014

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to go through series of development and adaptation. In Uganda, small holder farming accounts for up to 70% of the overall employment, making the country an agriculturalbased economy. Mechanization is a powerful tool in achieving optimal agricultural production because it enhances human capacity with the potential beneficiaries being men and women farmers. As well, it allows timeliness, efficiency and consistency in field operations.

Backyard farming; you can save on vegetables yet earn an income By Joel Ogwang Today, more than ever before, homes are continuously relying on markets to provide food needed to feed families. On average, 70% of household income is spent on buying food amongst the urbanite. Ironically, some homes in rural areas also buy food!

nd, with increasing urbanisation that has made land such a highly priced asset, most homes can hardly grow food to meet their domestic needs. However, agriculture is such an enterprising venture that irrespective of the size of land, a person can grow food and save, especially if it is an extended family, by domestically growing vegetables via backyard farming. “I was buying food from markets, including vegetables,” says Doreen Mulumba, a shopkeeper. “I have since engaged in sack farming; I grow vegetables like cabbages and onions at home. I don’t need land to do it; I only need to pack soil in a sack and plant them.”

Innovation By adopting backyard farming, a farmer can grow his/ her own food all year-round. “It is a new technology that, if adopted, can cut expenses on vegetables that are now scarce in most homes,” says George Katende, an extension worker. “Backyard farming maximises even the smallest of spaces available in a home.” Growing food via backyard farming is simple, flexible and profitable, according to Confrio Nsubuga, an agro- technician. “Land is becoming scarce these days,” he says. “But, through this technology, you don’t need acres of land on which to grow food. Even someone renting a house or land can practice this model of urban farming.”

How it works

Sack farming is a new form of backyard farming applied in most urban homesteads. As well, there is a new form of backyard farming via a raised garden where involving sub-dividing a plot of land into small square ‘gardens’ of 10ft x 10ft with access corridors left in between each of them. Soil is then poured in each square to raise it above the ground-level. ”To avoid erosion, bricks are used on the edges,” says Nsubuga. At JEEP’s demonstration gardens in Kyanja, a city suburb, legumes like amaranthus, locally known as ddoodo, African spider plants (ejjobyo), African egg plants (ntula), onions (butungulu), lettuce, carrot and spinach are grown. “You can also make compost manure by leaving space in the middle of each garden where weeds and other plants are left to decompose,” says Nsubuga. “Where space is scarce, you can also supplement ‘raised-gardening’ with ‘sackgardens.”

But, because legumes require moist and warm environment to germinate, it is imperative that the ‘raised-gardens’ are surrounded by trees that provide shades to reduce on exposure to intense sunshine which may wither the crops grown.

Harvesting Within two months, most leguminous crops are ready for harvesting. “From one ‘raisedgarden’ a farmer can reap sh50, 000 or more in each harvest,” says Namboga. Legumes are a good source of vitamins. And, where they are domestically grown, expenses on food reduce. “Buying food does not come cheap in towns,” says Nsubuga. “When you grow legumes at home, you can be sure of the source and only look for money to buy food.

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July 2014

African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services

Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services

TAKING IT TO THE FARMERS THROUGH PLURALISTIC AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND ADVISORY SERVICES Agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) have an enormous task to facilitate the agricultural transformation process in Africa. Over time, AEAS have moved away from being solely publicly provided and funded to involvement of the private sector both notfor-profit (like non-governmental organizations, farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organizations, foundations), and for profit companies (like input suppliers and manufacturers, farmer cooperatives, agro marketing and processing firms, consultancy and management firms) as well as the media. Unlike what was happening with other fields, AEAS lacked a single forum that brings together all stakeholders for networking, experience sharing, professional accountability and identification of common solutions to challenges faced. Hence, the formation of the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) in 2004 and its Country Chapters, to address this gap.

African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)

is planned for 2014 in Addis Ababa in partnership with Africa Union Commission (AUC) and Ministry of Agriculture and Researching Development (MoARD), Ethiopia. Under the knowledge management: an outreach website (www.afaas- africa.org/country-fora/uganda) and a virtual social networking platform (www.networking.afaasafrica.org/ufaas) have been established. A conceptual framework for lesson learning was already developed and a guide for piloting market oriented AEAS published. Two studies were finalized: one on targeting women advisory service providers in capacity development programmes; and another on addressing issues of Climate Change in AEAS. AFAAS partners with: the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) to achieve her set objectives.

AFAAS was formed to strengthen agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) through interactive learning and improved knowledge exchange. Its mandate is to implement the agricultural advisory services aspect of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Pillar IV that addresses agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption. AFAAS main thrusts are: championing knowledge management in AEAS; strengthening Country Fora (CF) for national level engagement; partnerships and collaboration with all Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) actors for scaling up and out innovations; capacity strengthening for AEAS and policy and advocacy for AEAS. AFAAS has stipulated guidelines on how to engage with AEAS Stakeholders in a country to bring about the emergence of CF that are aligned with CAADP. As of 2013, there were 40 African- member countries and to date. The Country Fora established so far are in Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Uganda. Six of these CFs are already developing their own strategic and operational plans, aligned with that of AFAAS and are linked with other ARD actors at national level. Since inception AFAAS has organized three symposia (2004 and 2016 in Uganda and 2011 in Ghana) and one Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week in 2013 in Botswana. The second AFAAS week

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Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) members at a workshop in Lilongwe

The Uganda Country Forum: The country Chapter of AFAAS in Uganda is the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS), registered as an independent entity in Uganda. It brings together a broad range of actors in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) from many sectors including the Public, Private, Academia, Civil Society, Farmer Organization, the Donor Community and the Media. Membership is open to both individual professionals and institutions that contribute directly to Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS).

41 Participants of the National AEAS Conference in October 2013 at Hotel African Kampala.

The UFAAS’ objectives are: to establish and sustain an effective platform for advisory agricultural services; promote professional development, information sharing and networking among AEAS actors; build the capacity of AEAS Advisory Services systems to provide innovative and client-orientated services; promote professionalism and ethical conduct in AEAS systems; and advocate and lobby for an enabling environment for Agricultural Advisory and Extension Services in Uganda. Over the last one year, UFAAS has made strides towards strengthening its structure and membership, networking and advocating for the effecting and efficient and innovative AEAS system in Uganda. Mobilizing, sensitizing and profiling of AEAS actors remains a continuous exercise where the UFAAS mandate is explained to AEAS actors and members are recruited. It is through this process that UFAAS registered more than 100 actors online at www.ufaas-ugandacf.org and also exhibited for the first time at the National Agricultural Show in July 2013 where over 300 AAAS actors, farmers and other stake holders visited the stall. Additionally, regional meetings to eight (8) districts (Adjuman, Gulu, Kampala, Kitgum, Lira, Mbarara, Soroti and Tororo) were as a way of up scaling activity beyond Kampala. At least 222 representatives of the public and private sectors, NGOs, development partners, academia institutions and media houses participated in these meetings where pertinent AEAS issues were discussed. In line with its Vision and Mission, UFAAS organized the first National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services stakeholder’s conference on 23-24 October 2013 at Hotel Africana, Kampala. This event brought together 171 (35 women) AEAS actors from all over Uganda, and from all sectors namely; public (policy makers, research and extension) academia, professional associations, nongovernmental organizations, private sector, farmer organizations and farmers representatives, commodity associations, media and the development partners. UFAAS also conducted the 1st General Assembly, as mandated by the constitution to strengthen its governance and institutional structures. The theme of the conference was “Towards an effective, efficient and innovative Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) system in Uganda”. Stakeholders also had an opportunity to give their feedback on the proposed national agriculFor more information contact The Executive Director-AFAAS P. O. Box 34624, Tel: +256 312 313400 Email: secretariat@afaas-africa.org Website: www.afaas-africa.org

tural extension policy direction as at that time. Under its initiative to support and promote national AEAS innovations UFAAS organized and or participated in a series of activities. Together with the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), 14 innovative and appropriate approaches used by different organizations to extend knowledge to the farmers profiled in April 2013. Since then, UFAAS has been able to assess these approaches and is in the process of documenting and disseminating the appropriate ones for up- scaling within and outside the country. Four (4) of the assessed innovative approaches were exhibited at the AFAAS week in Gaborone (Botswana) in August 2013. UFAAS has consistently continued to advocate for an effective and efficient AEAS system in Uganda through a number of fora. The major ones have been: the dialogue on the new direction of Uganda’s Agricultural Extension Policy; engagement with parliamentary committee on Agriculture; participation in various colloquia on extension issues organized by Food Rights Alliance. UFAAS recently released a press statement in which it outlined a profession stand on the proposed reforms to mainstream extension into MAAIF and restructure NAADS into the National Agribusiness Promotion Agency (NAPA).

The minister of Agriculture (Animal Resources) touring one of the innovation approaches exhibitions by VEDCO (a members of UFAAS)

Or The Focal Person, UFAAS Mobile: +256 776 801091 Email: afaas2013@gmail.com Webpage:www.afaas-africa.org/countryfora/uganda

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July 2014

Where is rabbitry in this year of family farming? With much emphasis on Family Farming in 2014, anyone would agree that with more attractive meat production characteristics over other livestock, the rabbit would be high up on the food priority lists of most countries faced with malnutrition and poverty. It would top the agribusiness agenda of countries like Uganda where there is shortage of agricultural land, vulnerable and unemployed, poorly resourced people who lack the critical production resources, both land and capital.

H H

owever, while this is ideal, it is far from the reality. Although the domestic rabbit has been in Uganda for more than a century, it is one of the least utilized animal resources. Nonetheless, there seems to be a positive turn as many farmers gain interest and re-organize to invest into rabbitry (rearing rabbits) as a business. Over my 20-year love and experience with this long-eared ‘treasure’ gives me the confidence to unravel the reasons for this neglect. A multiplicity of factors has conspired to limit this rather high potential food and income security enterprise, reducing it

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to more of a pet or child-like hobby, unserious and non-progressive.

Why Rabbitry? In terms of quality meat, rabbits are among the most productive of all domestic livestock. And, as the world’s human population grows, there will be less land to raise food which will render the rabbit increasingly more important for this supply. Actually, the social -economic viability of rabbitry over other livestock projects for food income and employment creation is enormous. ■■ Rabbits are small bodied animals requir-

43 ing less space and input, very prolific and efficient converters of feed to meat. A doe (female rabbit) that weighs 5kg can produce 30 kgs of meat in a year on minimal space. About 100 breeding rabbits can be raised on one acre required by one cow (about 400kg) to produce 300kg of meat in 2-3 years. Rabbits will produce 3kg of meat on the same feed and water as a cow will produce ½ kg of meat on the same feed and water. ■■ The meat is highly nutritious, palatable and healthy because it is white, fine-grained, high in protein (20.8 percent) with low fat (4.5) and low in cholesterol. Additionally, rabbit carcasses have more meat because they are only 20% bone. This makes rabbit meat an important source of food, suitable for nutrition security among children, the sick and elderly. Rabbitry also provides an excellent option to people who are conscious about health dieting and are avoiding high fat / high cholesterol foods. ■■ They are environmentally friendly because of their low water consumption (100 ml/day), minimal space requirements (90 cm x 70 cm) with negligible effects on overgrazing. ■■ Rabbits can also be raised for non-food purposes, which create more job opportunities. High quality rabbit skins are used in fur garments (clothing, hats, and cover for bicycle seats). Rabbits are raised for show or as pets and for medical as well as pharmaceutical research laboratories My love journey with rabbits: Due to my background in Animal Science, I was hooked into rabbit rearing as early as 1990. As a young family, we started the venture on a subsistence scale to supplement our expenditure on animal protein. We were able to feed our children on tender meat and, up to now, rabbit meat remains our household delicacy. I have participated in rabbitry at different levels ranging from a practicing subsistence farmer, technical advisor to other farmers and currently as pioneer in commercializing the venture. In the mid1990s, I was part of the initiative that first promoted rabbitry as a viable commercial enterprise. Unfortunately, it was perceived as a very easy and get-rich-quick venture. It became too crazy because with a few rabbits, one was counted rich. Due to overpricing, the first adopters reaped unrealistic profits without investing much. The common ideology was “rabbits eat grass and are highly prolific”. No-

never contributed to the nutrition security. Given that scenario, many farmers joined and became self-styled breeders due to the demand for breeding stock, but this could not last after everybody who wanted a rabbit to rear got one. Politicians had also sensed an opportunity and joined in the game. Someone who was rearing rabbits during the 1990s recently confessed that he used to sell young rabbits (bunnies) at 2 weeks old. The business was so lucrative that he used the proceeds to put up a new family house. But, after one year, he could not continue in business because most of his clients lost the rabbits due to the tender age at which they would be removed from their mothers. On the technical side, many posed as experts giving advice to farmers; they would get away with a simple statement such as “rabbits are like chicken” in terms of management, feeding and health, though this is not of course true. KIHEFO’s Agro-Innovation Projects work closely with small-scale farmers in the Kigezi region in raising rabbits for household consumption and sale at local markets.

The project led to increased incomes that enabled household farmers to educate their children in good schools. In Kalangala, 83% of the households could not educate their children before the project. body put emphasis on good management and disease control which are very critical to rabbit multiplication, survival and eventual profitability and sustainability of the business. At the time when a kilogram of beef was UGX 2,500 and goat UGX 4,000, a rabbit reached a record price of UGX 50,000. Most of the rabbits farmers had could not yield a kilogram of meat after slaughter. It also became irrational for the poor families who had rabbits to slaughter them for home consumption and, therefore, they

Current Scenario What is encouraging is that there are renewed efforts by individual farmers to revive and promote rabbitry as one of the lead enterprises for food and income security in Uganda. With a vision of “rabbit meat available on the Kampala market by the year 2015”, am currently managing a rabbit farm (RabFarm) with 70 breeders (9 bucks and 61 Does) and an output of over 100 fryers and breeders for sale per month. Under learn Enterprises we have managed to reach out to over 300 prospective farmers who visit the farm to consult and also buy breeding stock. These have been sensitized about the prospects of rabbitry and trained on different aspects of rabbit management. During this process we have also been able to identify and link up with other serious farmers like: Rabbit World Uganda and Tropical Rabbits in Buloba, Wakiso District; Exotic Cuts and Breeders in Busia; Kamuli Rabbit Farmers Centre; Rabbit Barn in Kigo; and several other out growers. Though there are still a few farmers stuck into the 1990 mentality, many now understand that it is a business that comes with its own challenges. The rabbit meat is also carving its own path onto the Kampala meat market as more farms start delivering packaged and ready-tocook meat on a number of city outlets, especially the supermarkets. Like the rabbit’s quiet but consistent behavior, the meat is also quietly taking up its place in the meat market.

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July 2014

UGANDA RABBITRY CONSORTIUM (URACO) Bringing together rabbit Value Chain Actors to collectively address issues within the rabbitry businesses RABFARM under

It is important to note that despite the individual farmer’s efforts, there is great need for policy maker, relevant government programmes and financial institutions to promote and support rabbitry if it is to realize its full potential as one of the leading food security and income earner for Ugandans. This is because issues of quality control of inputs (including breeds) and capacity building at technical and farmer level, are better handled from a national point of view. Despite the above achievements, the participating farmers are faced with a number of challenges that affect the progress of their businesses inter alia: limited sources of good breeding stock; inconsistent supply of feeds, poor housing materials and facilities like rabbit mesh and drinking nipples and limited production to respond to the potential market demand that is estimated to be over 1,000kg per month for Kampala alone. It is for these reasons that commercial rabbit farmers have organized themselves into a coordinating body, The Uganda Rabbitry Consortium (URACO) in order to create a critical mass for both the inputs and outputs market.The main objective of URACO is to bring together willing practicing rabbit value chain actors to collectively address issues that advance their rabbitry businesses. This will be achieved through promotion and advocacy, scaling up production, joint access to inputs markets and services, marketing of rabbit products, guarding against illegal and un-ethical conduct.

Conclusion July 2014

Learn Enterprises Ltd Location: Kisaasi, Kampala P. O. Box 25607, Kampala Contact: Beatrice Luzobe Mob: +256 776801091 /704052148 Email: bnluzobe@yahoo.com Products and Services • Agric. Consultations & Training; On-Farm visit/ advise; Purchase of live rabbits for meat; Production and sale of rabbit breeding stock and meat (Rab-bite); Rabbit Skins & Unique Beans Outlets: Supermarkets and individuals

EXOTIC CUTS AND BREEDERS

Location: Busia, Uganda P. O. Box 26897, Kampala Contact: Phillip Chanzu Mobile: +256 784181918 Email: pckagota@gmail.com Products • Breeding Stock; Rabbit Meat; Turkey Meat; Quails eggs

Abouth the Author

Outlets: Supermarkets and individuals

KAMULI RABBIT FARMERS CENTRE Location: Kamuli District P. O. Box 63, Kamuli, Contact person: Aggrey Mukasa Mobile: +256 752511335/776511335 Email: agmukasa@yahoo.com

RABBIT BARN

B.N. Luzobe, BSc. Agric (Animal). PGD Business Admin, MMS (Management.) Learn Enterprise Limited P. O. Box 25607, Kampala Mob: +256 776/712-801091 Wmail: bnluzobe@gmail.com, learnenterprises@ymail.com

Location: Kigo, Wakiso District, (close to the Serena on the lake) Contacts: James Obiti:0717747 452 Hilde De Beule: 0782 322 866 Email: rabbitbarnug@gmail.com

RABBIT WORLD UGANDA

Location: Buloba, Wakiso District, 11 km from Kampala, Mityana Rd Contact persons: Simon Tebyasa & Jessica Nantale Mobile: +256 782679513 /0756752419

GRACIOUS RABBITS Bulenga

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UGANDAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST RELIABLE SUPPLIER OF ORIGINAL AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT