Farmers in Mukono Encouraged to Embrace Value Addition and Irrigation to Boost Productivity-Deputy CAO Muhumuza Urges Farmers to Apply Skills and Shift from Subsistence to Commercial Agriculture

Farmers in Mukono District have been encouraged to embrace irrigation, value addition, and renewable energy innovations to increase agricultural productivity and transform farming into a profitable enterprise.

This call was made during a farmer engagement session held under the Micro-Scale Irrigation Program, which has been implemented in Mukono District since the 2020/2021 financial year and is expected to run until 2024/2025.

While addressing participants, Ms. Mukulu Daina, the Senior Agricultural Engineer, commended farmers for their commitment to the ongoing transformation of the agricultural sector. She noted that although the program is nearing completion, there is optimism that it may be extended to continue supporting farmers.

“We plan to introduce all the suppliers to you so that they can continue offering technical support. Farmers should change their mindset from Farmer School to Farmer Business School and treat agriculture as a serious enterprise,” said Ms. Mukulu.

She encouraged farmers to adopt proper irrigation schedules to prevent drought effects, explaining that the Farmer Business Schools (FBS) model empowers irrigation beneficiaries to earn from their systems, form Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and practice bulking to access better markets and improve profitability.

District Production Officer, Dr. Mukulu Fred, applauded the government for initiating the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UGIFT), which was introduced by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to improve agricultural productivity and enhance rural livelihoods.