President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Budaka residents to pick a leaf from successful farmers in the district.
The President made the appeal yesterday during a visit to Mr. Kirya Mulonde’s farm in Kilara Village, Kamonkoli Parish, Ikiki Sub-County, Budaka District.
President Museveni who is on a performance assessment zonal tour for the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Bukedi sub region, commended Mr. Kirya’s dedication to wealth creation through modern farming. On just five acres of land, Mr. Kirya has created a thriving enterprise, including fish farming, poultry, piggery, and goat farming, demonstrating how small landholders can build sustainable wealth.
Using the Biblical parable of seeds sown in fertile soil, President Museveni described Mr. Kirya as an example of success.
He marvelled at Mr. Kirya’s annual profits and noted how the farmer’s innovative use of land should inspire others in Budaka and Bukedi as a sub region to adopt similar practices.
Highlighting Mr. Kirya’s advanced fish farming practices on the edges of swamps, the President praised his environmental protection stewardship, contrasting it with other methods that harm the swamp ecosystem.
President Museveni also stated that Mr. Kirya will now serve as his consultant on fish farming, emphasising the need for ecologically mindful practices.
To support Mr. Kirya’s agricultural success, President Museveni pledged a vehicle to ease transport to markets, a larger incubator to help hatch chicks for the community and a feed-chopping machinery. He also promised financial assistance to Mr. Kirya’s medical expenses, as he has been diagnosed with throat cancer, which has negatively impacted his work capacity.
Mr. Kirya shared the impressive earnings from his farm: 120 million Ugandan shillings annually from fish farming, with a profit of 45 million Ugandan shillings after expenses; 65.5 million Ugandan shillings from poultry, leaving a profit of 20.2 million Ugandan shillings; and an annual profit of 53.4 million Ugandan shillings from pig farming. His goat and cattle business adds an additional 6 million Ugandan shillings in profits each year.
Mr. Kirya explained that his farm, initially funded by a family SACCO and government support, has become a valuable training ground for local farmers, offering lessons in modern agricultural techniques. His farm has also created permanent and casual employment opportunities for the local community.
However, he also shared some challenges, including transport issues, counterfeit animal products, limited funding for farm expansion, and the need for a larger hatchery and animal feed processing machinery.
The Presidential tour was attended by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, and State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs Hon. Jenipher Namuyangu, among other leaders who praised Mr. Kirya’s achievements.
