Farmers learn, enjoy day out at Farm Clinic

The upgraded murram road from Serere town to NaSARRI premises pointed to the fact that the area was expecting a life changing event.
Birds tweeted cheerily, signalling day break as the Seeds of Gold team went through their check list to ensure everything was in place before farmers started arriving in droves at NaSARRI for the 13th farm clinic held last Saturday.

Throughout the day, the anxious farmers, armed with questions and books, crisscrossed the expansive NaSARRI compound caring less about the scorching sunshine but eager to visit every demonstration unit.
Shortly after 8am, the first farmers and agribusiness enthusiasts started to arrive, and they came from Serere Town, Soroti Town, Mbale Town, Jinja and Karamoja region.

To interact with them were experts from National Agricultural Research Organisation (Naro), Bank of Uganda, Micro Finance Support Centre, and the Ministry of Agriculture, among others.
Soon, Apolot Anyokorit a farmer from Soroti District set the ball rolling, seeking to know why her dairy cow did not conceive even after inseminating it several times.

Dr James Oluka, a Livestock researcher and animal breeder at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), explained that timing is key in serving a cow on heat.
“Ensure you serve your cow as soon as it starts showing signs of heat. When you do it late, the cow will hardly conceive,” he said, adding that a cow needs a balanced diet if it is to conceive.

Farmers advancing to climate change patterns
The enterprises on show: Cassava, citrus, groundnuts, cattle, sorghum, greengram and poultry, were chosen according to the climate patterns of the region according to NaSARRI director Dr Michael Ugen.
From the farmers’ experience and tales, many knew the dangers they are facing but decried the limited technology measures to mitigate the scourge.

Farmers crave for agricultural loans
Sponsors Bank of Uganda, Microfinance support Centre (MSC) and aBi were so particular during their interaction with the farmers – addressing most of their agribusiness financial challenges and opening up accounts with them.
According to Bank of Uganda Head of Disbursement and Recovery Agricultural Credit Facility, Winnie Muliisa, the Serere Farm Clinic did not only link them with the farmers but also gave them platform to monitor the progress of their projects in the region.
“More farmers have expressed their willingness to from groups and access our Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF) worth Shs278b and I can see a bright future for the region’s agribusiness,” said Muliisa.

Value addition
The unpredictable weather patterns in eastern Uganda have not derailed the farmers in their production a bit but the lack of value addition technologies is holding them back.
Farmer after farmer rose up during the question and answer session to ask the agronomists how they can access the machinery to add value to their produce. Many revealed the huge losses they make, especially when faced with the wanting storage facilities.
The Naro experts promised to unveil more market links in the region and urged farmers to spare time and visit NaSARRI for proper guidance.

Naro hails Farm Clinics
Such is the deep impact the rotational farm Clinics have made that Naro is proposing to moot an idea that they move and touch every corner of the country.
Speaking on the sidelines of the fifth Farm Clinic this year, Dr Imelda N. Kashaija, the Agricultural Technology Promotion’s Deputy Director General said many farmers are missing out on the tangible benefits from the clinics.

“I want to engage my directors so that we strategise with the organisers of the Farm Clinics (MPL) to take this wonderful initiative to all parts of the country so that we get wholesome agricultural development,” said Kashaija.
Elizabeth Namaganda, the brand manager of Nation Media Group, enthusiastically noted that farmers continue to thirst for information from experts to boost the country’s food security.