MAYUGE FARMERS NOW PRODUCING FOR THE MARKET

 It’s been a long journey for the farmers of the remote district of Mayuge. They have had to withstand big challenges that included among others poor seed varieties, gender-based violence due to mistrust among family members, poor farming methods, effects of the climate challenge and the cheating middlemen who pay farmers low prices for their farm produce.

Now organized in a growing farmers’ association, the Mayuge farmers who were hitherto, largely producing for the homesteads are now engaging in large scale farming and realizing positive results of their hard-earned labor.

They have since formed the Mayuge District Farmers Association, (MDFA) which has grown from a membership of 500 in 2000 to over 20,000 to-date. Mr. Paul Ojikan the Coordinator of the Mayuga District Farmers Association who is also the Chairman of the National Soya bean Network the Association says that that the registered members work in 666 groups with 30 members each in eight sub-counties of Malongo, Kityerera, Imanyiro, Bukaboli, Buwaya, Busakira ,Kigandalo, and Mpungwe.

Originally formed to provide agricultural advisory services to improve food security at household levels for the members, MDFA has now organized smallholder farmers into marketing groups which are producing cash crops for particular markets. Two main crops, particularly the soya bean and maize were promoted for large scale commercial farming after a baseline survey which was conducted in 2007.

“ When farmers improved food security at the household level there was a surplus which required markets and thus the need to engage in farming as a business. But at the time, farmers faced challenges of limited access to; improved seeds , regular agricultural advisory services , lack of quality assurance facilities and reliable sustainable market for their farm produce and regular access to market information, “ Ojikan explains .

So we sought partners to help address the challenges which were hindering farmers’ productivity. “That’s why the leadership of Mayuge District Farmers’ Association made a decision to seek support from aBi-Trust which last year gave the Association an additional Shs. 444m grant to work on maize production, value addition, and collective marketing. On its part, the association had to contribute shs. 160M for a piece of land where a maize mill and offices will be erected to add value to the farmer’s crop and coordinate the activities of MDFA, respectively, “ Ojikan said.

With aBi-Trust ‘s support, major interventions were put in place which included among others, access to improved seeds, agricultural advisory services, market information from NARO which were distributed at the group level.
The extension field was also recruited to mobilise and train farmers in agronomic and post-harvest handling practices. Marketing committees of 5 people were set up in each group to carry out market research so that farmers get a fair price for the agricultural produce.

This offered a good opportunity for the farmers to bargain for a good price. . Between 2007-2013, at least 5,130 tons of soya beans were produced and sold by the members of the Mayuge District Farmers Association.
Farmers have since been encouraged to grow maize on a large scale because the huge demand for the grain on the market. But as farmers of Mayuge engaged in large sale farming, challenges emerged which needed immediate solutions to maintain a good maize value chain.
Other benefits from the aBi-Trust grant to the farmers of Mayuge include, training in agronomy, use of improved high yield maize and soya bean seeds, modern farming practices and proper utilization of farm inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. The association has also set up demonstration sites at group levels for farmers to appreciate and apply new farming technologies and methods that will help boost soya beans and maize production.

Along with the maize and soya bean value chain, with the interventions supported by aBiTrust, Ojikan said the farmers have also been trained in gender-related concepts where families, plan together, budget together, farm together and share the proceeds of their farm produce together. “Through the gender project, women have been given an opportunity to participate productively in agriculture to benefit both themselves and their respective families.

The old traditional practices where women were neglected or their contribution to farming was not recognized are now being abandoned to ensure equality, transparency, and accountability at the family level. This has greatly improved relations, reduced tensions, and gender-based violence and as a result, boosted production and family incomes.

With support from aBi-Trust and savings of the association, Ojikan said that the association has acquired, computers, 3 motorcycles, digital camera, 300 tumplines, 7 moisture meters, 4 standard weighing scales, 10 driers among others.

Demonstration centers have been set up where high yielding seeds are multiplied and 80% of the improved seed varieties re-distributed to farmers. Because there is increased farm produce, MDFA has had to link farmers to better markets by providing information about prices for agricultural produce on a regular basis. “ We collaborate with market service providers like Fit- Uganda, farm Gain and Agrinet to get accurate information about the prevailing market prices. This helps farmers to sell their produce at the right price and cut out the cheating middlemen,” Ojikan explains.

MDFA is also emphasizing on quality assurance which involves , getting the right seeds, engaging in better farming practices and post harvest handling to ensure quality crop yields for better rewarding markets for farmers products.

Indeed, MDFA has put in place structures where Community Change Agents (CCAs) who double as marketing committee members provide farmers with information on the prevailing market prices on a regular basis.
Village Saving and Loan Associations, (VSLA) have also been set up to promote the culture of saving and investment among farmers. There are now 300 VSLA in Mayuge where members save and loan to each other to increase farm production.

The farmers also collectively market their produce at established bulking centers and as a result, have a better bargaining power which fetches them better prices Again, aBi-Trust’s support has come in handy here, with the VSLA members being trained in financial literacy on how to keep records. Each VSLA is given ledger books, a stamp, inkpad and passbooks to keep proper accounts.
Through the Mainstreaming Gender in Soya Bean Value Chain project, families are trained to work together to realize and appreciate the role of women, youths and men in sustainable agricultural production with a focus on farming as a business.

But all is not rosy for the farmers of Mayuge. They still face big challenges like the effects of climate change which results in prolonged drought,. The cheating middlemen still exist and the many sugarcane plantations are a threat to food security in Mayuge.

msserwanga@gmail.com

Another Endorsement: Works & Transport Minister Transported to Work on Electric Bus

Uganda’s nascent electric vehicle industry received yet another endorsement on Friday morning when the minister of (Works and) Transport Gen Katumba Wamala chose to board its product, the Kayoola EVS on his way to work.

General Katumba who joined about 60 other passengers aboard the Kayoola EVS, boarded the electric bus operated by Kalita bus company at Bweyogerere, along the Northern Bypass for the 14 kilometre stretch to Busega.

Earlier last month, the minister for Science Technology and Innovation who make the buses under Kiira Motors Corporation, joined the public on the electric bus on the same route and gave the a service a nod of approval. 

After the maker minister, now the user minister has also given his endorsement of the product of Uganda’s young engineers, who design the electric buses and build them in collaboration with the industrial arm of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces, Luwero Industries in Nakasongola.

During the morning engagement with the public and other transport operators, General Katumba Katumba told taxi operators who are alarmed by the entry of the modern buses into the public transport sector, that mass transit is the way to go and there is no turning back .He advised them to prepare themselves to be able to fit in the changing transport landscape. 

Gen Katumba Wamala paying his transport fare on the Kayoola Electric bus while on his way to work Friday morning

The general assured the taxi operators that the government is pushing ahead with mass transit projects including the urban service train system. In addition to the Namanve – City centre train which Katumba says carries the equivalent of passengers for 65 taxis, the government is in final stages of instituting another urban rail route connecting the city centre and Kyengera on the populous western flank of Kampala.

The transport revolution in Kampala has been triggered by Kiira Motors Corporation’s release of ultra modern buses that are a hundred percent electric powered and also clean low emission diesel buses. 

So far, Kampala Capital City Authority has licensed two transport companies to operate the clean buses; Kalita which is on the 22 kilometre Busega – Bweyogerere high speed bypass and Tondeka on the circular City Square – Nakawa – Ntinda – Wangeya route.

Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is 100% government owned between STI (96%) and Makerere University (4%). KMC has been building the buses it designs in the military workshop in Luwero Industries, but will later next year shift its works to its new plant being constructed in Jinja. KMC has orders for over 1,000 buses, both low emission diesel and fully electric ones.

UGANDA PARLIAMENT HONORS MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ON MARKING 100 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, PROMISES MORE FUNDING

 

• Deputy Speaker Tayebwa pushes for increased funding of Makerere and other Universities in the country .
• Makerere showcases the Kayoola fully electric buses a leading innovation coming out of the university in its 100 years of existence  

The Deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called upon government to increase  funding for public universities to cater for research and innovations to ensure home grown solutions for local challenges .

Tayebwa was presiding over a plenary sitting where the parliament of Uganda passed a motion for a resolution to commemorate 100 years of the existence of Makerere University -one of the oldest and top universities in Africa and globally .

At the occasion , Makerere university- showcased one of the best innovations coming out of the Ivory Tower – the Kayoola fully electric buses that are produced in Uganda by Ugandan engineers led by Prof. Sandy  Stevens Tickodri-Togboa -majority of whom are products of the university.

A 40 member delegation of Makerere University’s  top management-led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe and Council Chairperson Mrs. Lorna Magara, were  transported on the Kayoola EVs on their way to parliament for special recognition .

Deputy Speaker Tayebwa emphasized the need to invest more funds in both public and private University research programs to enhance learning systems in higher institutions to produce more job creators .

He said  universities should offer relevant education for the 21 century – to produce hands on graduates that are involved in the production of marketable innovations and  products .

The motion to honour the great university was moved by Sheema South MP, Prof.Dickens Mushemeza , who recognized Makerere University’s contribution to Uganda’s economic, social development and its active participation in the political transformation of not only Uganda but also other African countries.

The state minister for higher Education Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo,called upon parliament to support Makerere University as it repositions itself – to become a research and innovation led university for the next 100 years.

Following the University’s training of medical doctors from Mulago Hospital, Dr.Muyingo encouraged members to support government in its efforts towards the construction of an independent hospital for Makerere University. 

“ We are also using these celebrations to solicit support for Makerere  to come up with its own university hospital. Makerere University has been training medical doctors from Mulago hospital. I will present a request to fund the construction of a medical training hospital at Makerere University and  I hope you will support me,” Dr. Muyingo told cheering MPs many of whom went through the gates of Makerere university.

What MPs said on the floor

* General Kiryowa Kiwanuka*: I am a proud student of Makerere University 1993-1996 where I was privileged to study law as a first degree and I was a student of Nkrumah hall. Makerere is transitioning into a research- led University and we will need to support it in every possible way to achieve that dream of finding home bread solutions to our problems. Makerere must start doing research to find solutions which are made for us and by us. Makerere has made us proud. 

*Bubulo East Mp,John Musila*: Mr. Speaker,  I want to add a voice that Makerere has contributed to the political transformation of the EAC region and the whole of Africa. We have produced Presidents in Kenya two of them, Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and in Tanzania, President Nyerere.

 *Jenipher Namuyangu Woman MP, Kibuku*: I want to salute the men and women especially the lecturers of Makerere University. I was a student there for six years, Mao was  my guild president. I agree that we need to support Makerere University to rehabilitate the halls of residence. I am told Lumumba apparently is closed for the next two years due to rehabilitation and am happy for that. Halls like Mary Stuart should also be considered.

*Nakaseke South MP, Lutamaguzi Ssemakula*: Everyone is here singing about Makerere University, most of us have gone through Makerere University but the question arises Mr Speaker, what have we done for Makerere University?

*Maracha East MP, Lematia Ruth Molly Ondoru*: I am not an alumni of Makerere for higher degrees but a close associate. I am a nurse by profession. When the nurses didn’t have degrees in this country- I sat down and prepared a proposal to introduce nursing degrees in Uganda. Therefore, I went to Makerere if they could take over this course, I am very grateful to Makerere, they were able to take it on. I am very happy today that nurses can also get degrees and PhDs in Uganda.

Asuman Basalirwa  Bugiri Municipality MP and one of the  former Makerere University Guild Presidents in parliament called for academic freedom of expression at the university .