By Francis Nizeyimana
A section of farmers in Kisoro District have been commended for their efforts in promoting sustainable Market Based agricultural practices that will improve food security in the region.
A joint team from Integrated Seed and Sector Development (ISSD), SNV and Techno Serve visited various projects in Horticulture and Dairy farming in Kisoro District.
Florence Nkuranga, a resident of Shozi Village, Gasiza Parish, Nyakabande Sub County and Canon Baker Habimana, a resident in Kamonyi Village in Kisoro Municipality were all supported to construct Cattle crushes.
They commended the organizations for their support and said their production continues to improve exponentially without having to spend so much on pasture and medicines for the cows.
SNV and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKN) signed a grant agreement to implement the Integrated smallholder Dairy programme (ISDAP) in Tooro, Kigezi and Ankole sub regions for 3 years that started back in January 2022.
Beneficiaries from Kisoro, under cluster III were yesterday monitored and given additional advice on how to manage the project.
Moreen Ashaba, the dairy advisor_ISDAP Kigezi Region said that they have built the capacity of farmers under cost share basis to improve on pastures and milk production.
Business Advisor on Horticulture Market Acceleration Project (Hortimap), Grace Byamugisha said they are in over nine sub counties and are still interested in engaging more farmers to who deal in fruits and vegetables.
Byamugisha says plans are underway to secure loans for farmers at 2% per month through Chahi Dukore Sacco as well as non-refundable grants to committed farmers who wish to improve on their productivity and farming practices.
Bizimana Matata J.B In Kiriba Village, Nyundo Sub County said he was supported by Techno serve with a 135sq wooden greenhouse for production and this has really increased his appetite to succeed in fruit and vegetable growing.
He said there is plenty of room for more players to join the field of growing fruits and vegetables on a large scale because the demand is high and yet the supply is still limited.
Matata said more trainings are needed to ensure more farmers benefit from the skills however extension workers are still underperforming on their duties.
Kisoro Resident District Commissioner Hajji Badru Ssebyala said the concerns raised by the farmers about extension workers will be addressed at a Political and technical level.
He commended the organizations for showing keen interest in supporting farmers with knowledge on how to do smart farming and counter negative climate change effects.
Kisoro District LCV Chairperson Abel Bizimana said men need to abandon daytime drinking and return to supporting the women in garden work.
He said better farming practices need to be adopted especially in the hilly areas of Kanaba where landslides are common due to farmers’ negligence to do the right thing.
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