RUBIRIZI – Rubirizi District extension workers have been encouraged to prioritize elevating the agricultural sector, with emphasis on the fact that it remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The charge was issued by the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Douglas Dagaras Rwamutojo, on Thursday during a capacity-building training for veterinary officers, agriculture officers, and farmer group leaders at the District Headquarters.
Rwamutojo highlighted agriculture’s critical role in national development, noting that the sector contributes approximately 26.2 percent to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product and employs about 62 percent of Ugandans.
He described agriculture as a vital economic activity that has created employment opportunities, enhanced food security, helped the government curb insecurity, and served as a key driver of socio-economic transformation.
“Agriculture is a very, very important economic activity. It has created employment opportunities, enhanced food security, and helped the government curb insecurity. It has been a key factor in driving socio-economic transformation,” Rwamutojo noted.
The Assistant RDC urged extension workers and farmers to work together, embrace commercial agriculture, and sustain yields to ensure food security for Uganda and household income for the district and the country at large.
The Rubirizi District LC5 Chairperson, Agaba Obed Byakureka, told extension workers and farmers that residents are ready for agricultural development and determined to make Rubirizi the best agriculture-practicing district in the country.
He revealed that 32 percent of Rubirizi children suffer stunted growth due to malnutrition, noting that many are starving, and asked extension workers to sensitize the masses on producing quality food to nourish children.
“Our people are ready for farming development and are determined to make Rubirizi the best farming district in the country. But we still have a challenge of 32 percent of our children stunted because of poor feeding; many are going hungry. From this, I ask extension workers to teach people how to produce quality feeds for our children,” Byakureka observed.
Byakureka further commended the government for supporting farmers by providing coffee seeds and other seedlings to boost production, and urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a quality harvest for the global market.
The District Production Officer, Rubihayo Anthony, told extension workers that the production department is the engine of agriculture in the district, noting that such trainings aim to strengthen the sector and equip them to serve farmers better.
He charged participants to visit and guide farmers in the field and to share reports and challenges for better planning, adding that officers must increase production in quantity and quality through good practices like proper spacing, improved seeds, soil fertility management, pest and disease control, animal feeding, vaccination, and record keeping.
“The production department is the engine of farming in this district, and this training aims to make the sector stronger and help you serve farmers better. It’s your mandate to visit and guide farmers, share reports and challenges so we can plan better, and make sure production goes up in amount and quality through good practices like proper spacing, better seeds, good soil, pest control, animal feeding, vaccination, and record keeping,” Anthony noted.
Rubihayo noted that more and better-quality products will give farmers better markets while improving household incomes, thus encouraging extension workers to sensitize farmers on value addition so they can earn more.
The training brought together key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, underscoring the district’s commitment to transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods through collaborative efforts.
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