By Denis Mukisa
The government has boosted agricultural production in Kayunga District with the distribution of beehives to farmers, motorcycles to agricultural extension workers and a silage-making machine to Kiwangula Farmers’ Cooperative under the Presidential Agricultural Extension Grant Programme.
The equipment was handed over during a ceremony held at the district headquarters on Wednesday, where district leaders said the intervention is expected to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen extension services and help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions.
Presiding over the event, Kayunga Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) John Magezi commended the government for prioritising the district in agricultural support initiatives aimed at improving household incomes and food security.
Magezi urged agricultural extension workers to use the newly acquired motorcycles solely for official duties, warning against diverting them for private income-generating activities such as commercial boda boda operations.
He directed the district production department to submit quarterly reports detailing the utilisation of the motorcycles and the overall implementation of the programme to ensure accountability for government resources.
Magezi also encouraged members of Kiwangula Farmers’ Cooperative to maximise the use of the silage machine, especially during the dry season, to preserve adequate livestock feed and reduce losses caused by feed shortages.
District Veterinary Officer Dr Ronald Kanaakulya said the beehives would not only promote honey production but also enhance crop yields through improved pollination.
He explained that the silage machine was introduced to help livestock farmers address recurring feed shortages during prolonged dry spells by enabling them to preserve fodder for future use.
Kanaakulya further encouraged farmers to make use of the district’s practical agricultural training centre to acquire modern farming techniques that can improve productivity and increase farm incomes.
Kayunga District LC5 Chairperson Andrew Muwonge said the district has made significant progress in agricultural extension services over the years.
He recalled that before his administration, the district had no government-employed agricultural extension workers and depended largely on volunteers to support farmers.
According to Muwonge, the recruitment of extension personnel has greatly improved service delivery by bringing technical support closer to farming communities.
Some of the beneficiaries, including extension workers Henry Ssuuna and Francis Ssendagire, welcomed the government’s support, saying transportation had previously been one of the biggest obstacles to effectively serving farmers.
They said hiring motorcycles to conduct field visits was expensive and often limited their ability to reach remote communities.
The two pledged to use the motorcycles to regularly monitor farmers, provide technical guidance and promote best agricultural practices across all sub-counties and town councils in Kayunga District.
District officials expressed optimism that the equipment will improve agricultural production, strengthen livestock management and enhance extension services, contributing to increased food security and improved household livelihoods in the district.
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