Boosting PDM SACCOs: NARO asks for Shs 75bln for livestock breeding
WAKISO, June 1, 2026 — The National Agricultural Research Organisation [ NARO ] says it requires at least Shs 75 billion to support Parish Development Model Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations [ PDM SACCOs ] engaged in livestock enterprises, particularly piggery, poultry and fish farming.
In a recent letter to Parliament through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], scientists and researchers from NARO’s National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank [NAGRC&DB] stated that the resource centre needs the funds to establish pig breeding centres, poultry multiplication units and fish hatcheries in four regions of the country. The facilities are intended to boost the production of pigs, poultry and fish for PDM SACCOs.
According to the former State Minister for Agriculture Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, shortages of livestock breeding stock have affected the operations of PDM SACCOs. As a result, many cooperatives have turned to private suppliers, whose prices are often uncompetitive and whose breeding stock quality is not always guaranteed.
“Where public breeding and hatchery infrastructure is absent, PDM livestock enterprises and smallholder farmers source breeding stock, fingerlings and chicks from private markets at prices and on terms that are not always transparent or competitive,” he said.
Kyakulaga revealed that, once funding is secured, government plans to establish mini animal feed-processing plants on ranches at Aswa, Maruzi and Nshaara, although the project currently has no budget allocation.
“The establishment of publicly operated facilities at regional and sub-regional level would expand supply, introduce a reference price in the market and reduce the input cost burden for PDM SACCOs,” he noted.
He added that in areas where government ranches lack feed-processing facilities, the cost of animal feed — which represents the largest operating expense for most livestock enterprises — remains a major constraint to profitability and sustainability.
The 11th Parliament allocated at least Shs 32 billion for the establishment of four pig breeding centres across the country, while a further Shs 23 billion was earmarked for poultry multiplication centres and fish hatcheries in the Kigezi, Tooro, Lango and Acholi sub-regions.
Another Shs 20 billion was allocated for the establishment of three mini animal feed-processing plants on government ranches, including Aswa Ranch in Pader and Lamwo districts, which covers approximately 165 square miles, or 105,400 hectares.
The same allocation will also cater for Maruzi Government Ranch in Akokoro Sub-county, Apac District, which covers an estimated 64 square miles. A significant portion of the ranch, about 54 square miles, has been leased to Hillside Agricultural Limited for palm oil cultivation.
Part of the allocation will also be used at Nshaara Government Ranch in Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura District, which covers approximately 27 square miles, or about 6,000 hectares. The ranch is specifically designated for the conservation and breeding of the indigenous Ankole long-horned cattle.
The 11th Parliament urged the Government to increase funding for breed multiplication and livestock restocking programmes at NAGRC&DB after the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture found that demand for improved genetic materials from both PDM enterprises and commercial farmers had risen significantly alongside the expansion of livestock programmes under the Agro-Industrialisation Programme.
https://thecooperator.news/naro-embarks-on-revamping-livestock-production-research-programmes/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
