Farmers and livestock keepers in Lwamata Sub-county have been urged to transform their agricultural enterprises through value addition, collective production and improved farming practices to increase their incomes.
Ssingo County Chief Deo Kagimu, representing the Kabaka of Buganda, made the call during a field visit to agricultural projects being implemented by Buganda Kingdom representatives at the gombolola level.
Kagimu said the Kingdom’s Situla initiative provides an opportunity for farmers to improve the quality of their produce with support from agricultural experts. He urged farmers to take advantage of the programme rather than concentrating only on production.
According to Kagimu, farmers can earn more by improving the quality, handling and presentation of their products before taking them to market. He also encouraged them to work together so they can produce in larger quantities and negotiate better prices for their crops and livestock.
Farmers from Kidagazi, Bunga and Nsala villages presented their enterprises, including coffee, bananas, vegetables and livestock. They said farming has become an important source of household income, helping some families pay school fees, improve their homes and meet other domestic expenses.
Despite the benefits, the farmers said unreliable agricultural inputs remain a major obstacle to increasing production. They complained that some chemicals sold to farmers are costly, ineffective or of questionable quality, resulting in losses when crops are damaged or fail to respond to treatment.
Livestock farmers raised similar concerns over veterinary medicines, saying poor-quality or ineffective drugs can leave animals untreated and increase losses. They called for greater access to genuine agricultural inputs and professional guidance to help them make informed choices.
Kagimu urged the farmers to seek expert advice, adopt modern production methods and strengthen cooperation within their communities. He said the Buganda Kingdom would continue encouraging initiatives that enable farmers to improve productivity, add value to their products and secure better returns from agriculture.
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