Government Kicks off Distribution of 540 Heifers to Youth Leaders

The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Frank Tumwebaze presided over the ceremony to kick off the distribution of 540 in-calf heifers to youth leaders at the local government councils in fulfillment of President Yoweri Museveni's pledge to support youth leaders in improving household food security and income.

The president made the pledge to the youth leaders during the presidential campaign trail in 2021 when he met them to discuss several issues concerning the youth in the country.

In fulfillment of the pledge, Government through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) procured the first batch of 540 in-calf heifers targeting 540 youth leaders in 135 District Local Governments (DLGs), 11 cities, and 56 municipalities.

In each district and city, three people on the youth council were selected to benefit and these include the chairperson of the District/City Youth Council, the Secretary for Finance, and the Secretary for women affairs.

At the municipality level, the distribution of the heifers will begin with the chairpersons of the Division/Municipality Youth Council.

Speaking at the Saturday function in Kiruhura district, the minister said the animals are enough ‘entandikwa’, or startup capital, to improve their household incomes.

The State Minister for Animal Industry Bright Rwamirama noted the dairy cows given were of a good breed that can produce great returns.

The Chairperson of the National Youth Council Jacob Eyeru commended Government through NAADS for partially fulfilling the presidential pledge and asked for full implementation by ensuring that all the 18 youth leaders in every district receive the heifers as promised by the president.

Minister Tumwebaze used the event to encourage the youth to take advantage of the opportunities offered under the Parish Development Model (PDM) and start-up income-generating activities, especially in commercial farming.

He told the leaders that the PDM is aimed at bringing resources (money) closer to the people for wealth creation and the fund is going to be revolving to enable many people to benefit.

The Minister advised the people of Kiruhura to engage in the production of quick maturing crops like vegetables especially cabbage, hot pepper, tomatoes, and onions in addition to the traditional crops like coffee and bananas and dairy farming which is a major enterprise in the region.

“Land is a universal factor to the success of the PDM. Due to the limited land in the region, I advise you especially the youth to grow crops that do not require large pieces of land, mature quickly and are profitable with a focus on vegetables”, said Tumwebaze

He warned the people to desist from the formation of ad hoc groups with the aim of accessing the funds under PDM to use them on non-developmental things. He advised the leaders at all levels to monitor and follow up the groups which are going to benefit from the PDM program to ensure that they are genuine.

Delivery and distribution of the heifers to the youth leaders has commenced in all the 176 beneficiary Local Governments.