“However much NAADS
was put at Holt by the government of Uganda, it benefited concerned citizens and they are proud of the
program”
Despite other peoples
attitude towards government programs in most sub counties and districts of Uganda
especially the NAADS program where it was taken as a surviving venture for some
of the beneficiaries who after getting
enterprises, disappears with it and no benefit is realized according to the
original plan of the government. This is not true for the residents of Kahunge Sub
County in Kamwenge District who benefited much from NAADS program because
of their commitment towards the program.
This was realized after different interventions implemented
by KALI in the sub county. These interventions include, monitoring the program
at the grass roots, sensitization of the farmers, budget tracking and analysis,
meetings with the farmers forums, interface meetings at sub county level and
dialogue meetings between the farmers and the duty bearers. These interventions
helped to streamline many issues that were hindering NAADS progress in the sub
county. They also empowered farmers who are now confident enough to take on the
program successfully.
During the recent monitoring and follow up by KALI staff on
the NAADS program in the sub county, I could not believe my eyes and what my
ears were listening to. I interacted with some individuals, and was just moved
by their experience and what they have managed to benefit from NAADS program.
Some of their stories;
Mr.
Francis Ngwanziri
On the
left is Francis Ngwanziri with the cow he benefited from NAADS program and on
the right is his wife with a calf it had produced which follows a bull that
they sold.
He was given one local breed cow in 2011, it produced in 2012
a young bull and after maturity Francis sold it at a cost of 350,000=, in a day
he could earn 4,000= from selling 5 liters of milk got from the mother. In 2012
still Francis had kept some money from selling milk, topped with what was got
from the bull plus income he was getting
from sugarcane plantation and managed to buy
eight goats which he later sold
and bought one acre of land at a
cost of 2,000,000=. Alongside animal rearing Francis is also involved in
sugarcane plantation and cassava growing which after harvest is able to pay
school dues for the children and this has improved their livelihood as a family.
Peace Kabito
Peace
with KALI staff in her Banana plantation
She was given 250 banana sackers under market oriented
selection in 2009. In a month Kabito can manage to earn 600,000= during a good
season and this has enabled her to pay tuition for the children, bought a plot
at a cost 3,000,000= and undergoing contrition of a two block house on this
plot. Peace has also managed to buy 60 goats from banana selling earnings. It is thus my able appreciation to government
for having brought NAADS program since it has improved my income, food security
in my family thus improved livelihood, said Kabito
.NdagnjemanaJohn
On the left is John and KALI staff in his
coffee plantation and on the right is john in his farm.
I received a cow from NAADS program in 2011 which produced
and currently it has a calf, at the beginning I would milk five liters only in
the morning and could sell at a cost of 2000 which was used to buy drugs and
pesticides, however the milking harvest was low compared to what we were
projecting as told by the suppliers.
In 2012 John again received 500 coffee seedlings for the start and his now
undergoing coffee harvesting but has not yet sold anything, however John wants
to buy 1000 seedlings of coffee after selling the previous harvest. Alongside
coffee plantation and animal rearing, John has a pineapple plantations which
harvest approximately 500,000= per season and this has assisted him to pay fees
for the children in private schools and have also been in position of making
land extension at a cost of 12miilions which I am using for both animal rearing
and growing of crops, said John.
“Uganda needs your support
and your support can inspire millions to take action that makes a lasting
difference and impact in the world we live in. It’s a visible and valuable way
of delivering to your country’s corporate social responsibility objective. Let
us partner with each other to educate, inspire and implement effectively and
meaningfully”
Compiled by
KULE OBED
Project Officer
