The Head of State praises model farmers in the Busoga sub-region and urged Ugandans to adopt a similar entrepreneurial mindset.

President Museveni has pledged to install a feed grinding machine in Bukedi sub-region to make animal feed more accessible and affordable for dairy farmers.

The President, who made the remarks during his visit to model farmers on November 8, said the machine will help dairy farmers create wealth.

“I request Vice President, HE Jessica Alupo, to work on identifying a suitable location for the facility,” he said.

Mr Museveni praised model farmers in the sub-region and urged Ugandans to adopt a similar entrepreneurial mindset.

“I want to congratulate Nabutono’s family for waking up and taking advantage of our advice and also our little support. We have been doing this since 1996, but many people, especially leaders, have not taken up and educated the population on how to get out of poverty,” he said.

Ms Florence Nabutono is one of the model farmers the President visited. She resides in Bukoda Cell, Kasasira Municipal Council, Kibuku District, and is involved in piggery and poultry.

Ms Nabutono started her farming business with just Sh1 million which she received from her Sacco parish development model. With a modest investment, she bought a pig, which eventually multiplied.

Nabutono said she was able to pay her children’s school fees and diversify her farm.

“My desire is to expand into dairy farming because dairy farming would provide a stable source of income for my family now that we will have animal feed, which has been a barrier for many farmers,” he said. she declared.

President Museveni provided Ms Nabutono and other model farmers with an additional Sh10 million to buy dairy cows.

“A dairy cow would produce consistent milk, allowing you to support your family while generating additional income by selling the surplus,” Mr Museveni said.

The President also visited a farm owned by Mr. Nimrod Mulonde, 68, of Kilalaka village, Kamonkoli South Ward, Kamonkoli Municipal Council, Budaka District.

Mr Mulonde, a retired agricultural officer, said he started the farm in 1984 by growing cabbages, onions, fish farming and keeping a diary on a small scale.

“Today I practice animal, fish and poultry breeding, activities that have made me a model farmer in the region,” he said.

Mr. Mulonde also created 10 fish ponds and stocked more than 20,000 fish fry to supplement his income.

President Museveni advised the people of Bukedi region to harness the abundant resources in order to fight poverty and create wealth.

“I implore you to spread the gospel among the people of Bukedi so that we do not maintain poverty. We already have a history of enlightenment in the region,” he said.

The subregion has about 88.3 percent of households still dependent on subsistence agriculture despite government interventions.

In Butebo, President Museveni visited Mr Patrick Keddi, a poultry farmer from Katakwi village, Butebo sub-county. Mr. Keddi is one of the first beneficiaries of the PDM.

He expressed his gratitude to the President and explained how the PDM enabled him to raise his family.

Government statistics show that the poverty rate in Bukedi is 37 percent. Bukedi’s per capita income stands at 43.7 percent, with a per capita GDP of $135 (Shs488,866).