Agricultural schools need to do their part

The problem falls back to the projectisation of every element of this sector, with no clearly discernible sector development strategy. This, in an era of liberalisation, where everything and anything goes, and the story is complete.

In the Daily Monitor of March 13, Andrew Kalema Ndawula gives a short but comprehensive tragic reality of what is befalling Ugandan farmers seeking to go commercial. Other faults and learning curve hitches apart, the intriguing question remains: what exactly is the role of the many agricultural colleges, institutes and farm schools? How about the milliard District Agricultural Training and Information Centres and their larger siblings, the Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes? Aren’t these supposed to be the sources of such simple technology as greenhouse farming?

The problem falls back to the projectisation of every element of this sector, with no clearly discernible sector development strategy. This, in an era of liberalisation, where everything and anything goes, and the story is complete. We move back to importing vegetables, fruits, spices, and other basics, while posturing to be an agricultural country. Where is the problem?

Mr Kalema suggests ‘groups’. But exactly what do we mean by groups? In a district, you will find a farmer’s association, a farmers’ forum, then the women counterparts of these, youth etc. Fragmentation, projectisation, have they been a solution? Would the Nucleus Farmer concept be a better option?

The debate seems unending, yet the truth is, despite the ’anticipated oil wealth, we cannot afford to neglect agriculture. Collins Cheruiyot in The East African is very spot-on on this.

Kahunga Matsiko,
bukanga@yahoo.com