Government to revamp Bukalasa College, says minister

LUWEERO. Government is set to revamp Bukalasa Agriculture College in order to produce better extensionists with hands-on skills, Agriculture minister Vincent Ssempijja, has said.
The minister said the partnership between Uganda and donor agencies, including the twining up of Bukalasa Agriculture College with Dalhousie University from Canada to transform Bukalasa to a centre of agriculture excellence, is part of their commitment to ensure that the college produces extension staff with hands-on skills that match the modern farming practices targeting commercial agriculture in Uganda.

“Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is already undertaking several strategies to ensure that Bukalasa Agriculture College, now producing the bulk of the country’s agriculture extension staff, gets the necessary assistance in terms of manpower, technology, among other logistical support, to boost the agriculture sector. The increasing challenges in the weather patterns and the need for a robust transformation from subsistence to commercial-oriented farming sector calls for strengthened skills training,” Mr Ssempijja told parents and graduands at the 55th Bukalasa Agriculture College graduation ceremony at the college campus in Luweero District on last Friday.

Gruaduands
A total of 1, 083 graduands were awarded diplomas and certificates after successfully completing their respective courses in agribusiness management, animal production and management, crop production and management, horticulture, human nutrition and dietetics, among others.
The minister said government has also prioritised the boosting of the service sector within the Agriculture ministry by recruiting more extension staff to help the farmers adapt to modern farming practices, with emphasis on commercial agriculture.

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