Youths urged to embrace agribusiness for sustainable livelihoods

26 June 2026, 3:27 pm

By Oboke Michael

Youths have been urged to embrace agriculture as a sustainable source of income in order to transform livelihoods and reduce poverty across Northern Uganda.

The call was made by the Director of City Gate Mixed Farm, Mr Pius Olam, during an educational tour of the demonstration farm in Amuca, Lira City, by Miss Tourism Northern Uganda contestants.

Mr Olam said the farm was established to showcase a four-acre farming model in which different agricultural enterprises complement one another to maximise productivity and profitability.

He explained that the demonstration farm integrates dairy farming, poultry, coffee growing, banana cultivation, pasture production, and organic manure processing, creating multiple income streams from a relatively small piece of land.

According to Mr Olam, the dairy unit comprises Friesian cows and other improved breeds for milk production, while the poultry section keeps both dual-purpose birds for meat and layers that produce eggs for the market on a daily basis.

He added that pasture is grown on the farm to feed cattle and goats, with surplus grass sold to livestock farmers who have limited grazing land.

Organic manure collected from cows, goats, and poultry is also processed, packaged, and sold to crop farmers, providing an additional source of revenue.

Olam further highlighted coffee as one of the farm’s flagship enterprises, noting that it has demonstrated that the crop can thrive in Northern Uganda despite the widespread belief that it performs better in other parts of the country.

Drawing from his visit to the Kaweeri Presidential Demonstration Farm in Nakaseke District, Mr Olam said he adopted the four-acre farming model because of its proven ability to generate substantial income from limited land.

He explained that one acre can accommodate approximately 450 coffee trees, each capable of producing between five and six kilogrammes of coffee beans, while the same acreage can also support about 450 banana plants, significantly increasing household earnings.

Farm Manager Nek Edwin Ian highlighted the scale of production at City Gate Mixed Farm, revealing that the facility currently keeps about 25,000 layer birds for egg production and a further 10,000 dual-purpose chickens raised mainly for meat.

He added that the demonstration farm also has one breeding bull, ten dairy cows, and four calves, while a separate ranch accommodates about 198 cattle under a free-range production system.

Responding to questions on climate adaptation, Mr Ian said the farm rears South African goat breeds, including Savannah, Boer, and Red Kalahari goats, because they adapt well to Northern Uganda’s hot and semi-arid climate.

He, however, advised farmers to carefully manage newborn animals by separating them from older livestock to prevent injuries and improve survival rates.

Olal Jimmy Winter, who also serves as a tour guide, said the pageant seeks to equip contestants with practical skills beyond the traditional beauty competition.

He noted that through boot camps, contestants receive training in culture, tourism, entrepreneurship, and community development.

Mr Winter added that Uganda’s favourable climate supports year-round agricultural production, making the country an attractive destination for visitors interested in organic farming and food production.

He commended City Gate Mixed Farm for providing practical demonstrations in poultry, dairy farming, coffee growing, goat rearing, and crop production.

One of the contestants, Atim Melissa Bridget, described the visit as eye-opening, saying it had changed her perception of farming.

She noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy and has enormous potential to reduce poverty in Northern Uganda.

Ms Bridget encouraged people to start farming with the resources they already have instead of waiting for large investments.

She revealed that she already runs a goat-rearing project and plans to expand it using sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment while boosting productivity.

The educational visit formed part of the Miss Tourism Uganda Northern Region boot camp, equipping contestants with practical knowledge in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and community development as they prepare to serve as ambassadors for tourism and sustainable development in Northern Uganda.