NAADS Agricultural Programme Transforms Lives in Busoga Diocese

The Director of the Church of Uganda's Directorate of Household and Community Transformation (HCT), Rev. Andrew Agaba, has announced that the agricultural programme being implemented in Busoga Diocese, in partnership with the Government of Uganda through the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADS), has significantly enhanced the socio-economic status of numerous local farmers within the Diocese.

Rev. Agaba, who led a monitoring team to visit some beneficiaries in Jinja District, acknowledged that despite challenges related to animal management and diseases, notable progress has been made among the farmers.

"Busoga Diocese is among the five dioceses benefiting from the programme. It received 40 heifers, 200 piglets, and 3,000 Croiler birds. Despite the diseases and animal management challenges, we have witnessed significant progress and anticipate greater successes," Rev. Agaba stated.

The monitoring activities began with a meeting between the HCT team and the Diocesan Management team to discuss the programme’s progress and management strategies to enhance its success.

Local farmers shared their experiences and the programme’s impact on their lives. Rev. Canon Mathias Katiko, a recipient of one of the heifers, remarked, "This programme has been transformative for my family. With the milk from the heifer, we now have a steady source of income and improved nutrition. The support from HCT has empowered us to overcome many challenges."

Alex Kyombo, who received piglets, expressed his gratitude, saying, "Raising these piglets has given us hope. Despite the initial challenges with diseases, we have learned better management practices, and our farm is thriving. The visits from the HCT team provide us with the guidance and encouragement we need."

Zaituni Namuwaya and Nakalembe Robinah, beneficiaries who received Croiler birds through the programme, have seen great improvements in their livelihoods.

"Before this programme, I struggled to provide for my family," Zaituni shared. "Now, with the Croiler birds, I not only supply eggs and poultry meat to the local market but also support my children’s education and improve our household nutrition."

Robinah Nakalembe credits the training and ongoing support from the HCT team for her newfound success. "The knowledge on poultry management and disease control has been invaluable. This programme has truly given us a new lease on life."

In 2022, the Church of Uganda collaborated with the Government of Uganda through NAADS to mobilise communities for socio-economic transformation through an agricultural development programme.

This programme aims to mobilise, equip, and position Church of Uganda leaders and farmer groups as community mobilisers and agents of mindset change to promote agro-industrialisation.

The initiative also focuses on rallying church leaders, congregations, and the broader community towards the production of priority crops for food security and improved incomes. Additionally, it supports households in agricultural production, post-harvest handling, value addition, and market linkages for priority agricultural commodities.

Similar initiatives are being implemented in Central Buganda Diocese, South Ankole Diocese, West Lango Diocese, and Kitgum Diocese.