Katakwi model farmers receive in-calf heifers

KATAKWI– The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] through the National Agricultural Advisory Services [NAADS] has distributed 20 in-calf Friesian heifers to selected women farmers in Katakwi district.

This follows a request by Vice President Jessica Alupo Epel who also is the Katakwi district Woman Member of Parliament.

The cows were on Tuesday handed over to the 20 women selected as model farmers from various sub-counties across the district.

Alupo handed over the animals during the celebrations to mark the belated International Women’s Day Celebrations for the district.

The celebrations attended by different dignitaries ranging from ministers, legislators, and district, and sub-county leaders were held at Katakwi district headquarters under the theme ” Gender Equality for Sustainable Tomorrow”.

The theme was selected in recognize to the contribution of women and girls around the World.

Women and girls constitute the majority of the population and as such require special attention to eliminate challenges that hinder not only their individual progress but the entire country.

On March 8, 2022, Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day but like any other district, Katakwi district was not able to hold the celebrations on that that because all the leaders joined the national celebrations held at Kololo Independence Ground presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

On his part, Robert Lule, from NAADs said the donation of the heifers to the beneficiaries follows a request to MAAIF by the Vice President to support women in the district with heifers.

He said the heifers would enhance household incomes, improve food security and nutrition of the beneficiaries.

Lule said that the in-calf heifers given to the beneficiaries can produce about eight liters of milk daily if taken good care of.

Mary Margate Ikulot, a beneficiary from Magoro Sub-county in Toroma County was grateful to the government for the donation of the heifers.

“I have been wishing to own on Friesian cow for milk production in vain but today I’m really very happy because our leader Rtd.Maj. Jessica Alupo Epel has lobbied for us Friesian cows and this has made my dream of owning one come to pass,” she said.

Another beneficiary Sarah Kongai, hailing from Ceyele village in Getom Sub-county applauded government for supporting the ordinary people through such initiatives.

She was optimistic that will the heifer she has received, is going to change since will be able to make money by selling the milk.

The beneficiaries, however, asked the veterinary experts at the district to sensitize them on the management of these animals given their unique breed.

Ariko Onyait, the Katakwi District Veterinary Officer assured the farmers of his department committed to induct them on the practices required in rearing Friesian cows.

Meanwhile, the State Minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa advised the beneficiaries to regularly spray these animals to control ticks and ensure that they are feed well in order to produce much milk.

She said the heifers need to drink enough water as well good care. “I want to ask the beneficiaries to spray them twice a week. I also want to request the beneficiaries not to move these animals for longer distances,” Adoa added.

Alupo said the beneficiaries are to be taken as model farmers in their communities where others can come and learn how to rear dairy cows.

“We want to demonstrate to people using you that rearing Friesian cows for milk production is profitable and brings cash in a short time,” Alupo said.

Alupo also asked the district technocrats to help in changing the mindset of the farmers towards adjusting and accepting that commercial agriculture is the only avenue to change their livelihoods.

She promised to engage MAAIF to continue offering support to the local farmers with dairy cattle.

Since 2014, Government through NAADS has distributed more than 170,000 dairy cattle mainly targeting the women and the youth for food security and improved household incomes.

https://thecooperator.news/dairy-farmers-urged-to-join-cooperatives/

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