Masaka Farm Clinic takes shape
Left to right: Dr Beatrice Akello, the Director of Muzardi, Mr Tony Glencross, the Managing Director of Nation Media Group-Uganda, Ms Joanita Babumba, the Deputy Director Agricultural Credit Facility of Bank of Uganda, and Mr Richard Wangwe, the head of Agribusiness at Stanbic Bank, with a dummy cheque of Shs20 million during the launch of the 15th Seeds of Gold Clinic 2019 at Monitor Publications offices in Namuwongo, Kampala, yesterday. PHOTO BY KELVIN ATUHAIRE
Kampala- The stage is set for new grounds to be broken at the first ever Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic in greater Masaka region on September 7 with the enthusiasm from the organisers, sponsors, tutors and expectant farmers reaching fever pitch.
During the launch yesterday at Monitor Publications Limited offices in Namuwongo, speaker after speaker projected the farm clinic, riding on the climate smart farming theme to be a game-changer in Masaka.
“I had the privilege of attending the farm clinic in Bulindi (in Hoima District three weeks ago) and I was astounded by the number of people that attended. The level of interest from big people in society, including MPs and mayors coming to learn, shows that farming is a crucial key element to the development of our economy,” the Nation Media Group-Uganda Managing Director, Mr Tony Glencross, said.
He thanked sponsors Bank of Uganda (BoU), National Agricultural Research Organisation and Stanbic Bank for the support to the farm clinics.
He added: “Farming is like an athlete, you may be an excellent farmer but there is always room for improvement.”
Mr Richard Wangwe, the head of agriculture lending at Stanbic Bank, said the Hoima farm clinic showed the gaps that needed to be filled in the agribusiness value chain and they are ready to walk the journey with the agricultural stakeholders.
“In the next 20 years the whole world will be looking to Africa for agricultural produce. This means that Uganda is a food hub that we must support to contribute to the growth of our nation,” he said.
Mr Wangwe said Uganda has the potential to export to the world market and increase the revenue.
“I urge farmers to come to the learning session so that we share knowledge, discuss the approach to the financial aspect of agri-business, qualities and quantities of production and how we can get better at what we are doing,” Mr Wangwe said.
Ms Joanita Babumba, the deputy of Agricultural Credit Facility at BoU, reiterated the central bank’s position to reach out to farmers through the farm clinics.
“It has been a success story since we came on board in 2018. We promise to continue advising farmers in relation to ACF fund,” she said.
