Zero grazing is the way to go – Museveni highlights Socio-Economic Transformation at Kisozi Cabinet Meeting

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week convened a significant cabinet meeting at Kisozi, where he emphasized to top government honchos the socio-economic transformation of Uganda’s cattle corridor. The meeting, held on May 24th, gathered key government officials, MPs, district leaders, religious figures, and dairy farmers from the Ssembabule and Gomba districts.

In a statement to Ugandans after the meeting, President Museveni praised the strides made towards achieving the long-held National Resistance Movement (NRM) vision of socio-economic transformation. He highlighted the progress from a pre-capitalist, subsistence economy to one where citizens work for both sustenance and financial prosperity. This transformation, he noted, is most evident in the dairy farming sector, which has seen significant growth.

“The dairy farmers from Ssembabule and Gomba shared how some sell up to 1,500 liters of milk per day,” Museveni remarked. “This has not only boosted their incomes but also contributed immensely to Uganda’s economy. From 200 million liters in 1986, our milk production has soared to 5.3 billion liters, saving the country millions in dairy imports and earning USD 264 million annually from exports,” Museveni wrote.

He acknowledged that despite the impressive achievements, there is potential for even greater productivity. He urged farmers to adopt zero-grazing methods, which have proven successful in increasing milk yield on smaller plots of land. “The Nyakaana, Kizza, and Kalera models demonstrate that with proper pasture management and zero-grazing, even small farms can produce substantial milk yields,” he explained.

The President also lauded the improved living standards among dairy farmers, who have transitioned from grass-thatched huts to permanent homes, often equipped with solar power. He emphasized the importance of education, citing that many farmers have been able to fund their children’s university education through their farming income.

Addressing the wider agricultural sector, Museveni reiterated the need for intensive farming practices in crop-growing areas to combat land fragmentation. He recommended high-value crops such as coffee, fruits, and dairy, alongside backyard poultry and piggery, to ensure sustainable income for small landholders.

The President expressed his commitment to upscaling the Kisozi model nationwide. He highlighted the continuing government initiative providing each parish with Ushs. 100 million for soft loans, enabling farmers to purchase seedlings and other essential inputs.

The meeting concluded with a visit to the Kisozi farm, where Museveni showcased the success of indigenous Ankole cattle in milk production. He stressed the importance of preserving Uganda’s heritage breeds and reducing dependence on highly susceptible exotic breeds.

Museveni’s message was clear: Uganda’s journey towards socio-economic transformation is underway, but continued efforts and adoption of modern farming techniques are crucial for sustained progress.