VP urges Ateker people to embrace commercial farming

6 January 2025, 1:28 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Vice President of Uganda, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo Epel, has urged the Ateker people in Teso subregion to embrace commercial agriculture as a pathway out of poverty and unemployment. She emphasised that government jobs are not sufficient for everyone, and commercial agriculture is one of the activities that can improve the livelihoods of the local people. Alupo stated that agribusiness, when adopted by Ugandans, can boost household incomes and support the country’s development agenda.

“The more engagement in commercial agriculture and value addition, the poverty and unemployment among them will be greatly reduced,” she said. Alupo was speaking during a farm tour of Mr. Joseph Ijara, a former taxi driver turned successful farmer in Serere district, eastern Uganda. Ijara credited President Yoweri Museveni’s four-acre model for his transformation during the president’s visit to his farm as part of a regional wealth creation tour in Teso subregion. The Vice President thanked Ijara for being a successful model farmer in the subregion and emphasised that embracing agriculture will not only contribute to better standards of living for Ugandans but will also help address food scarcity in households.

According to Alupo, agriculture, being the backbone of Uganda’s economy, should be further embraced. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and I call upon all of us to produce enough food for our children and also some cash crops,” she said. Alupo stressed the need for leaders and agriculture officers to guide people toward economically viable agricultural enterprises.

Among the viable enterprises, Alupo encouraged fruit farming, piggery, fish farming, dairy farming, poultry, coffee, and poultry keeping as outlined in the Parish Development Model [PDM], a government initiative launched in February 2024 to help active citizens escape poverty.

Ms. Alupo assured the people that the NRM government would provide peace and security, ensuring continued development across the country. “Please use this peace and security well. Plan your economic activities knowing that security is guaranteed under the leadership of H.E Y.K Museveni, who is the commander-in-chief,” she added. She encouraged farmers and communities to benefit from these deliberate programs aimed at transitioning everyone into the money economy.

“Organise, reorganise, strategise, and see how to benefit from these programs. Encourage the people, motivate them, and ensure that we unite to fight poverty and gain financial independence,” she said. Alupo emphasised that President Yoweri Museveni has prioritised commercial farming at the household level to spur national development and improve the standards of living for Ugandans.

In his words, Ijara thanked the Vice President for the visit, sharing that his journey began 11 years ago when he attended a rally in Soroti for International Youth Day. He recalled how President Museveni passionately spoke about the four-acre model, which inspired him. Shortly after the rally, Ijara faced a setback when he lost his taxi job. He then turned to his 2.5 acres of inherited land and began rearing chickens. Starting with a small incubator, he expanded to 1,500 local chickens, transitioning to layer chickens. Income from eggs enabled him to invest in dairy farming, starting with four cows and growing the herd through artificial insemination. Currently, Teifa Farm, owned by Mr. Ijara, spans 35 acres, producing 319 liters of milk daily, with some processed into yogurt and ghee. His diversified enterprises, including poultry, dairy, and soap production, generate an annual net income of UGX 500 to 600 million. Ijara currently employs 38 people. Beyond economic gains, he has become a mentor, training local farmers in value addition, cattle management, and soap-making.