Government has committed to finance a $42.3m (Shs161.5 billion) Busoga livestock project that is set to turn around farmers’ fortunes by increasing household income and ensuring food security.
The five-year project seeks to revitalize Kasolwe stock farm to international standard, introduce community breeding services and establish a functional market information system for small holder farmers.
Speaking at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Finance Minister Matia Kasaijja said in the next financial year, government will include the project in proposals for the next budget, for Parliament to allocate.
“We want to assure you that projects of this kind must be supported financially…when the costing has been concluded, we shall look for the US $43m, put it in the budget and Parliament will appropriate,” said Kasaijja.
The ‘revolutionizing livestock farming in the Greater Busoga’ is an initiative of the Speaker, and meant to be applied throughout Busoga sub region.
“Being the Minister responsible for this economy, I know rural Busoga; the level of poverty is very high. It is one way we can help our people in that part of the country to get out of poverty,” he said.
The project includes proposals to have a one-stop centre for livestock inputs, offering free consultation services to farmers and procuring better breed livestock for distribution to farmers.
At the launch of the project on Monday, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said the project would lay emphasis on beef and milk production targeting international markets to end poverty in the sub region.
“We are here to discuss the use of livestock for sustainable development specifically in Busoga sub region to increase production and productivity,” said Kadaga.
She said Majority of farmers, rely on the local breed, which disappoints them with weak productivity.
Agriculture Minister, Vincent Ssempijja, said his ministry would love to support such projects, were it not for financial constraints.
“As a ministry we would have wanted this yesterday, but when it comes to finances, we get seven per cent but being a member of the executive, I don’t want to go into these details,” said Ssempijja.