President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on farmers in Sheema District to embrace irrigation, pasture growing, fertiliser use, and commercial agriculture to improve their livelihoods and protect against drought. He made the remarks at a thanksgiving ceremony for Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, Minister of Internal Affairs and Member of Parliament for Sheema County South. President Museveni emphasized the importance of transforming household production from subsistence to commercial agriculture.
President Museveni's commitment to fighting poverty dates back to his school days at Mbarara High School and Ntare School. He developed an interest in understanding how agriculture could improve people's livelihoods. He recalled visiting government stock farms, observing livestock spraying, improved milk production, and the use of agricultural infrastructure to increase productivity. This experience contrasted with the subsistence activities many local communities relied on.
The President introduced the four-acre model in the 1996 National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto. This model helps households with small land pieces escape poverty through commercial farming. He advised farmers to dedicate one acre to coffee, another to fruit growing, a third to pasture for livestock, and the fourth to food crops for household consumption. Families can supplement their incomes through poultry and piggery projects in their backyards.
President Museveni expressed satisfaction with progress made in wealth creation but called on leaders to intensify efforts to reach households that have not yet adopted commercial production. He urged leaders to ensure every household understands how to transition from subsistence production to participation in the money economy. The President emphasized that leaders are the eyes of the people they lead and must preach the message of wealth creation.
To address the prolonged drought affecting banana plantations in Sheema and other parts of the country, President Museveni identified irrigation as a key intervention. He noted that underground water resources in parts of Ankole and Kigezi can be tapped to support irrigation. The President also urged farmers to abandon uncontrolled free-range grazing in favour of pasture growing and more productive livestock management practices.
President Museveni further urged families to protect wealth across generations by avoiding the subdivision of property following the death of parents. He advised families to consider registering companies that own the property and allocating shares to beneficiaries. The President pledged support for the construction of Kitagata Hospital and other development projects, including those in Bundibugyo. He also committed two tractors to Sheema District to help address challenges associated with poor-quality grass.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, thanked President Museveni for dedicating land in Ruhengyere, Kiruhura District, to the Ankole sub-region for establishing industries. He also appealed for government support for the Igara Tea Factory, which is experiencing financial difficulties. Prof. Kamuntu thanked President Museveni for attending his thanksgiving ceremony and commended government wealth creation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
Key points
- President Museveni urges Sheema farmers to adopt irrigation and commercial agriculture to boost productivity and lift households out of poverty.
- The President introduced the four-acre model to help households escape poverty through commercial farming.
- President Museveni emphasized the importance of leaders preaching the message of wealth creation to reach households that have not yet adopted commercial production.
