Monitoring the National Oil Seed project progress and award of gifts to best performing groups

Mbale, Uganda 

Production department 

Farmers at demo site

Farmers in Bulekya village, Waninda parish , Lukhonje Sub County  in Mbale district today during monitoring, had hands  on experiential at the soyabeans demo farm owned by Nambafu William  focussing on post harvest handling of oil crops for improved production and productivity as well as ensuring good quality and standards of the oil crops products.The main oil crops being promoted include G.nuts and soybeans.
The NOSP project is in five sub counties which include Lukhonje, bungokho, busoba, busiu and Bukiende in mbale district.

Bwayo Noel Isaac the agriculture officer Lukhonje,  together with the CBF Nambafu William held experiential Participatory learning sessions at the Practical Training Center (PTC)in Waninda parish .

Mukhwana John, a farmer from Bulekya B says his expertise ranges from a variety of crops though his interest is zeroed on soyabeans.
He says the routine training has improved other farmers on post harvest handling knowledge.

Bwayo the Agriculture officer explained to farmers on how best they should harvest soya beans to improve quality.
The training included both genders since livelihood at house level is combined effort.
Harvest and storage of soya beans remains our prime target so as to obtain  good quality products that can attract good prices from the offtakers,Bwayo stressed

District Production and marketing officer Wanakina George Davidson joined the practical learning site as he laid compliments of  the need for value addition in order to obtain premium prices from the market.
While addressing farmers, he said the objective of this monitoring is to visit agriculture demo farms and award the best performing farmers.

Deputy district resident commissioner, Nakawala Naume highlighted the president's initiative of 4 Acre model farming accredited to improve sustainable income at household level. She wished the farmers a good learning session and appealed to farmers to uphold trust amongst themselves and respect each other.
In her ending remarks, she reiterated Government's commitment to support farming interventions to cause socio economic transformation.The LCV chairperson, Mafabi Muhammed informed the farmers that his leadership at the district is focused on building sustainable development and equitable socio economic transformation of communities in Mbale District. He said.
Other developments are soon coming since the budgeting process is done for the financial year 2025/2026

CAO Mbale: Akurut Angella 

CAO Akurut Angella joined the monitoring team on  national oil seed project demos and appreciated the farmers for turning up in large numbers. She said, this showcases team work and good leadership as evidenced.
Nambafu William, a model farmer and owner of the demo farms gave the insight on farming procedures and illustrated to the
visiting team on how the prioritised enterprises of G.nuts and Soybeans are performing given the good quality foundation seed and extension services provided by the project and the available extension services .

Nambafu says amidst population growth and demands, and the type of farming and methods recalls progress with better skills to other farmers
Later the Senior Agriculture officer, Rose Okello Khainza led the team to Namunyu local seed business group in hospital ward in busiu town council on 1.5 acres of land which is promoting ground nuts
She says the group planted over 30 kgs and the projected harvest is 30-40 sacks unshelled.
The seeds are expected to cater for the farmers and if there is surplus, the rest will go to the market.

NOSP as a project prioritises production of oil seeds like soya, sim sim, sun flower and ground nuts.
Mbale district priotised G.nuts and Soybeans basing on the Agro ecological suitability, profitability and marketability ot the said enterprises.

In the period of 4 months, the production department visited similar farmers on a 4 acreage while stepping up awareness on modern farming as an intervention to model agricultural practices.
It is under this spot that the farming group agitated for support from the government at the district level citing a number of challenges. During the visits, production department profiled several groups with oil seeds though at matolotolo, it was not a mere visit but a trend that sought for the right timing.

Musibikha Juliet, on behalf of Matolotolo farmers group in buwalasi parish, busiu  sub county says the extension services at the Sub county have registered big turnout for farmers with better yields.

"The yields are better in terms of harvests" she said!

The group has also started small savings which is regarded as an achievement in the short run but lining on progressive hope.
"We need to come together as one voice to expand on farmers network with quality produce for quality assurance.
She says they are growing two crops apparently namely, soya and ground nuts but prior to that, they wish to add maize and beans so that money is tapped on the farming scale.
Never the less, she pointed out a few challenges indicating short cycles of rains causing poor sale value in the market hence affecting farmers morale during farming.

The group intends to open a bank savings account leading to bigger savings which could guarantee them with big loans.
" We want to expand the farming from 7 acres to 12 acres and also acquire a tractor but if our savings are bigger"
She appealed to community members to adequately involve in agro economy with significant strides on modern farming approaches.

After traversing the two sub counties of lukhonge and busiu, over 10 farmers in busiu were awarded jericans, tarpaulins spray pumps and protective gears.
These gadgets are to help them in pest control and management.