Op-Ed- Yesterday, I spent most of the day with Provia Katsigaire Keishanyu the Assistant Agricultural Officer for Kebisoni Sub-County here at Village Nyeibingo in Rukungiri District. She is from the District’s production department.
I didn’t not invite her, she didn’t know I was home, she just showed up to check on the coffee farm and provide advice to my farm help workers. Keishanyu told me that before she was transferred to Buhunga Sub-county and now back to Kebisoni she used to advise my late Dad who was one of the top coffee farmers in the district. I was pleasantly surprised!
Keishanyu is deeply knowledgeable, explains issues with patience and finesse. We had some trees that in-spite of applying pesticides continued to wane — showing signs of bad health (Okuhongahonga). Keishanyu explained that such trees were beyond pest injuries that attack coffee cherries (ebitumbwe), leaves and stems. She guided that there are other different types of infections, mostly fungal that attack the immune system of the coffee trees. She recommended application of a combination of pesticides and fungicides (Striker and Indofil as first line of treatment. She instructed that if symptoms persist we apply copper fungicide as second line of treatment).
Keishanyu also educated us on processing of organic pesticides at the farm. She took us through different forms/methods of fertilizer application and correct ways of spraying (from ground stem upwards and from canopy downs to target hiding pests and fungus etc). Keishanyu guided on pruning (which branches to keep or eliminate), how and when to bend the coffee tree etc.
Keishanyu is not from Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) yet she knows her coffee stuff. She is from Rukungiri District local government production office which also operates under the Ministry of Agriculture.By the way, Agricultural advisor Keishanyu arrived at my place on a Boda Boda. It was a full full rainy day in Rukungiri. What a Patriot! We need more Keishanyu’s every where. Let the rationalization empower more and more Keishanyu(s).
I have studied the different arguments on UCDA rationalization debate. As a coffee farmer of many years, I have come to a conclusion that it doesn’t matter whether the person showing up at my farm is wearing a UCDA T-Shirt or a Ministry of Agriculture T-Shirt. UCDA and Ministry of Agriculture are outfits of the NRM Government. All I need is government correct and timely advice and an enabling environment to access inputs and market for coffee. Furthermore, I need the government to continue with infrastructure like electricity that enable value addition at the farm and beyond. If government aims to deliver the foregoing efficiency expectations through rationalization of UCDA — so be it!
Indeed from the rationalization arguments I have studied, no one is disputing the progress of coffee (quantity, quality, value) under President Museveni. The President has taken us this far as acknowledged by those opposed to rationalization of UCDA. What is the cause for not trusting him now?
I have previously worked under President Museveni — and for some years. This President is science and evidence driven. He is also fair and careful when handling public affairs. He is a President who is comfortable amidst contestation of ideas. He will follow the facts and guide us to a better place. He truly means well for all Ugandans and is deeply committed to common prosperity of Ugandans and Africans. Coffee is indeed at the center of many livelihoods of Ugandans and I am comfortable that President Museveni’s government will make the quantity, quality and value of coffee expand massively.
Morrison Rwakakamba, Coffee farmer, Nyeibingo, Kebisoni.
