NEWS– The Director of Church of Uganda’s Directorate of Household and Community Transformation Rev Andrew Agaba, has revealed that the agriculture program being implemented in Busoga Diocese, in partnership with the Government of Uganda through the National Agriculture Advisory Services, has significantly improved the socio-economic status of many local farmers within the Diocese.
Rev Agaba, who led the monitoring team to visit some beneficiaries in Jinja District, noted that despite challenges related to animal management and diseases, significant progress has been made among the farmers.
Busoga Diocese is among the five dioceses benefiting from the program and has received 40 heifers, 200 piglets and 3,000 Croiler birds, but despite the diseases and animal management challenges there is significant progress and looking forward to greater successes.
The monitoring activities commenced with a meeting between the Household Community Transformation team and the Diocesan Management team to discuss the program’s progress and management strategies to enhance its success.
In a symbolic gesture of commitment to environmental conservation, Rev Agaba planted a tree at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe and called for tree planting and proper waste disposal.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFICIARIES SAYING?
During the visit local farmers shared their experiences and the program’s impact on their lives led by Rev Canon Mathias Katiko, a recipient of one of the heifers, “This program has been a game-changer for my family. With the milk from the heifer, we now have a steady source of income and improved nutrition. The support from Household and Community Transformation has empowered us to overcome many challenges.”
Alex Kyombo, who received piglets, expressed his gratitude, saying that raising the piglets has given him hope and despite the initial challenges with diseases, has learnt better management practices and the farm is thriving and the Household and Community Transformation team has provided the guidance and encouragement.
Zaituni Namuwaya and Nakalembe Robinah, some of the beneficiaries who received kroiler birds through the program, said they have seen great transformation in her livelihood.
“Before this program, I struggled to provide for my family, but now, with the kroiler birds, I not only supply eggs and poultry meat to the local market but also support my children’s education and improve our household nutrition,” Zaituni said.
Nakalembe credits the training and ongoing support from the Household and Community Transformation team for her newfound success.
“The knowledge on poultry management and disease control has been invaluable. This program has truly given us a new lease on life,” She said.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
In 2022, the Church of Uganda collaborated with the Government of Uganda through National Agricultural Advisory Services to mobilize communities for socio-economic transformation through an agricultural development program.
According to the Church of Uganda Communications Officer, Sadiiki Adam Mugume said that this program aims at mobilizing, equipping, and positioning Church of Uganda leaders and farmer groups as community mobilizers and mindset change agents to promote agro-industrialization.
Sadiiki Adam said that the initiative also focuses on rallying church leaders, congregations, and the broader community towards the production of priority crops for food security and improved incomes and additionally, it supports households in agricultural production, post-harvest handling, value addition, and market linkages for priority agricultural commodities.
He said that similar initiatives are being implemented in Central Buganda Diocese, South Ankole Diocese, West Lango Diocese and Kitgum Diocese.
