Mama FM
Youths tipped to utilize tropical climate as resource for Teso’s development
8 August 2023, 11:56 am
Teso region is struggling with poverty where 50 out of 100 are poor in a region of 2.5 million according to United Nations International Emergency report of 2020
Recently while interacting with the minister for culture in the Iteso Cultural Union,Grace Akiror said the poverty base has been caused by cattle rustling by kalamajong rustlers , untimely government programs , low levels of education and lack of better methods of farming. It is said Teso used to have 3 millions of cattle and today there 44000 cattle in the region.
However, the region has a tropical climate that favors crop production for its sandy fertile soils, potential of cattle farming, tourism business such as at Nyero rock paintings in Kumi among others
Gudie leisure Farm and private Sector Foundation Uganda PSFU have embarked on utilizing the region’s perfect climate to boost agro Business in the way of creating jobs for the youths in and leading sustainable development in the region
Steven Mbogo, the Chief membership Office at PSFU says so far 5 agricultural farms have been put in place where 20,000 youths are getting employed and also getting grants to do business. He noted that some youths are failing to progress in business due to poor record keeping and packaging however the ones getting training will work upon the challenge
He recommends the youths to collaborate with Government projects such as Uganda Industrial research Institute UIRI, ParishDevelopment Modal PDM, National Agricultural research organization NARO for capacity building and technological assistance. He adds that there are a lot of business opportunities in which youths can venture in such as meat processing industry because the area has no factory yet there are cattle and ready market.
Prof. Gudula Naiga Basaza, the managing director of Gudie leisure farm says most good fruits like mangoes, oranges, passion fruits among others, Gnats, cassava an indicator that there is a need for Juice bars, Oil processing from Gnats and sunflower, raw material for pharmaceutical industry from cassava among others and hopes that if the investors get interested it will boost the development of the area
Speaking at Teso region business Symposium on 7th AUGUST 2023 in Najjera , Prof Gudula said Gudie Leisure Farm has trained 10000 youths in 20 parishes where some youths have started value addition in White meat production through keeping Fish, Rabbits, pigs, and chicken whereas others joining aquaculture and poultry .
Although all efforts are on to transform the region in agro business, there are still challenges which include, traditional farming method farming using of hand hoes, lack of technological trainings, lack of enough land and absence of investors
The minister for Youth, Iteso cultural Union, Otekat Moses wants Government to give every parish at least a tractor to boost agriculture, He says the current farming methods which includes hand hoes cannot meet quick production. Otekat also says the small scale businesses which youths have started need better packaging hence calling for more agro business training