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Farm Clinic imparts knowledge
A farmer asks questions on profitable goat farming at the Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic in Arua. PHOTO/GEORGE KATONGOLE
What you need to know:
- The Farm Clinic held in Arua last Saturday offered a comprehensive hands-on training across diverse agricultural sectors, including fish farming, upland rice, livestock (goats, dairy and pasture), horticulture (vegetables and fruit trees), coffee, cocoa and agroforestry systems.
The 39th edition of the Seeds of Gold Farm Clinic, held recently at Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (AbiZARDI) in Arua, brought together nearly 1,000 enthusiastic farmers, igniting a renewed sense of purpose and equipped them with modern techniques for profitable and sustainable agriculture. The nationwide initiative emphasised that success in farming is no longer limited by land size or unpredictable weather, but by informed decisions and strategic partnerships.
Mastering vegetable production
The Farm Clinic offered comprehensive hands-on training across diverse agricultural sectors, including fish farming, upland rice, livestock (goats, dairy and pasture), horticulture (vegetables and fruit trees), coffee, cocoa and agroforestry systems. Experts shared invaluable insights designed to boost productivity and reduce reliance on costly inputs.
Richard Lematia, a crop technician at AbiZARDI, highlighted critical factors for successful vegetable production, stressing that profitability hinges on variety selection, meticulous nursery management using seed trays and holistic farm management.
"The little space that we have, we need to maximise production in that space. We should have the mentality of harvesting more from a small space," Lematia emphasised. He advocated for proactive water management for farmers who cannot have an irrigation system. “Please try to create some water conservation structures like the ditches to harvest some water," turning unpredictable rains into stored resources,” he says.
Boosting yields organically
Adding to the innovative training, Dickson Egama, another crop technician, showcased AbiZARDI's organic-focused approach to achieving high yields with minimal chemicals. He demonstrated remarkable productivity, noting that one tomato plant can give up to 150 fruits, if managed well. He asked farmers to invest in soil health through farm-yield manure and employing integrated pest management. "We try to confuse pests. We have to repel the pests. We have to attract predators," he said, advocating for beneficial insects like praying mantises and ladybird beetles, attracted by flowering plants like coriander and marigolds. He also detailed bio-intensive hexagonal planting for maximising yield in small spaces while integrating pest-repelling aromatic plants.
A coffee barrister sells coffee to Farm Clinic goers at AbiZardi in Arua. PHOTO/GEORGE KATONGOLE
Commercialising livestock farming
Daniel Akampurira, an animal technician, guided farmers on transforming goat keeping and dairy cow farming into a commercial venture. He advised on breed selection for higher returns, such as the Mubende, Boer and Savannah goats, and the introduction of resilient Red Kalahari crosses. Akampurira emphasised feed management, noting that "75 percent of your costs into feeds" should be invested. He highlighted the strategic use of crop residues during dry seasons and the benefits of silage from 'Super Napier' grass, stating, "One acre of elephant grass feeds 10 goats for a full year without a shortage." He also underscored the critical importance of good housing, access to mineral blocks, and meticulous record-keeping for breeding and financial tracking.
Financial empowerment
Beyond the practical farming techniques, the clinic placed a strong emphasis on financial empowerment, with major partners Bank of Uganda and Pride Bank providing insights. Prossy Nalule from the Bank of Uganda highlighted government-backed financial interventions. She explained that Small Business Recovery (SBR) loans and the Agriculture Credit Fund (ACF) can truly transform the lives of farmers in Uganda.
Nalule detailed the favourable terms: for SBR loans, the government's portion is interest-free, while the participating bank's portion has a maximum interest rate of 10 percent per annum. For the ACF, the maximum interest rate to the final borrower is 12 percent per year. "These are not just loans; they are opportunities for farmers to inject much-needed capital into their ventures," she affirmed, emphasising their role in enhancing productivity and food security.
Daniel Okabo Odongo, the branch manager for Pride Bank in Arua, articulated his institution's commitment to farmers. Pride Bank, which officially rebranded from Pride Microfinance to Pride Bank Limited on April 29, 2025, champions a philosophy rooted in agriculture. "You're the reason why we exist. What we do is to transform lives responsibly. We don't want to see people sleep hungry," Odongo said, highlighting Pride Bank's tailored products, including "Harvest-Linked Loans" with repayment schedules aligned to harvest periods. Pride Bank also offers competitive direct lending rates for primary production such as 24 percent flat for loans up to Shs10m and other agricultural value chain loans such as 26 percent flat for smaller amounts.
A significant new initiative, as Odongo explained, is a Shs5 billion project offering interest-free loans for large-scale commercial farmers, with at least 50 acres, targeting staple crops like maize, beans, soya, sorghum and hay. He noted that it is accessible through cooperatives and registered entities. The success of the Arua Farm Clinic sets the stage for more learning opportunities, with upcoming Seeds of Gold Farm Clinics planned for Moroto (July 26, 2025), Mukono (August 23-24, 2025), Hoima (September 27, 2025) and Mbarara (October 25, 2025).
