Museveni Lauds Sebei Farmers for Adopting Four-Acre Model

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised farmers in Uganda’s Sebei subregion for embracing the Four-Acre Model, a farming strategy designed to boost productivity and improve household incomes.

During his visit to Bukwo District, the President commended farmers for diversifying their agricultural activities to maximize the benefits of limited landholdings. Speaking at the home of Nicholas Chelimo, a model farmer in Ngeny Village, Kapkoros Parish, Museveni highlighted the transformative potential of the model.

“I am very glad to see people waking up. Wherever I go, I see progress. In 1986, when I first visited Sebei, people were hardworking but lacked ‘Ekibaro’ (calculation). Today, I see a different story,” Museveni said.

The President explained how the Four-Acre Model addresses challenges faced by smallholder farmers. He outlined its seven recommended activities, including coffee and fruit farming, pasture for livestock, food crops, and backyard poultry or piggery.

“For farmers with small landholdings, the four-acre model is key. One acre for coffee, one for fruits like apples or mangoes, one for pasture, and one for food crops ensures both income and food security,” Museveni noted.

He also emphasized irrigation’s role in improving yields and conserving wetlands, citing examples from Bushenyi and Brazil to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Chelimo, a 54-year-old teacher and farmer, shared his success story. Starting with two inherited acres of maize, he adopted the Four-Acre Model in 2019 after hearing the President’s advice. Today, his farm thrives with coffee, bananas, livestock, and poultry, earning him a net annual income of 30 million shillings.

“In 2000, I only had two acres of maize. Everything changed after I implemented the four-acre model,” Chelimo said. “Last year, I harvested 800 kilograms of Arabica coffee, and this year I expect 1,000 kilograms.”

Chelimo credited a visit to Museveni’s Kawumu farm for inspiring him to adopt sustainable practices like biogas systems. He now employs two workers and has improved his family’s livelihood significantly.

Museveni’s visit marks the start of his three-day tour of the Sebei subregion to assess the performance of the Four-Acre Model and the Parish Development Model (PDM). He urged more farmers to adopt modern practices to ensure long-term success.

“The four-acre model is not just a farming method; it’s a pathway to wealth creation for smallholder farmers,” the President concluded.

Local leaders and Chelimo’s family attended the event, which showcased how modern agricultural strategies can uplift communities.