The NRM Vice National Chairman for the Central Region, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, has urged Ugandans to embrace smart and commercial farming to enhance productivity and, hence, the welfare of their families.
The Vice Chairman made the call yesterday in Mityana district as he toured coffee farms in Kikandwa subcounty, Mityana North County, whose proprietors are using modern technologies like solar energy to irrigate during the dry spell.
Hon. Kiwanda’s call is in line with President Museveni’s advice to Ugandans to abandon subsistence production for commercial farming.
“My advice to the farmers is to interest themselves in learning and seek advice from extension workers in the subcounties on how to produce for both food and money,” Kiwanda said.
Mr. Kiwanda also invited farmers from greater Mubende districts to attend a two-day agricultural expo called 'Kisoboka', meaning it is possible to engage and interact with experts on smart agriculture to improve their yields.
Under this arrangement, Kiwanda said the expo brings together the farmers and the agro-input dealers or manufacturers to discuss strategies on how to increase production and productivity among farmers still in subsistence production.
“The problem for Ugandans is not just the price of agricultural products; it is also productivity. How much do people earn from their products? This is the objective of the expo: to address the low productivity of our farmers’ products,” Kiwanda said.
Mr. Samuel Mulumba, a smart farmer in Bukuga village, commended President Museveni for his consistency in reminding Ugandans to not only work for food but also produce to sell. “He has taught us to shun spectating as others make money for their families.”
Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, the NRM Vice Chairman for Western Region and also Minister of ICT, and other NRM senior leaders are expected to grace the Expo to propagate the President’s message of engaging in the money economy among all Ugandans.