Livestock provides an essential agricultural resource for Uganda. The country’s population of goats, cattle, and poultry are among the highest in Africa with 70% of Ugandan households engaged in some form of livestock rearing.However, it is one area that is not fully exploited in employing youths.
Mugalula Steven a 25-year-old Animal Productions student at Makerere Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyoro Gayaza, spends most of his time feeding over 926 layers with his colleagues. He believes youths can change their lives through such ventures. "When you are dealing with poultry, in this enterprise you have to put 70% of your capital in feeding. Which means if you don't have feeds you may not manage this project. Because these birds eat a lot they need to be eating from sunrise to sunset."
Mugalula explained that on a daily basis they collect over 20 trays of eggs. “In the morning they can take about 3 – 5 jerrycans of water those are over 100 liters. So for the production of eggs, we collect eggs in series that is also three times a day.
” we are going to have 15,000 layers here. In terms of egg production; I guess each layer produces an egg per day. So that is roughly 15,000 eggs per day.” Said, Bernard Bashasha – Principal CAES-MAK.
Prof. Jin Kook from Chon Buk National University in Korea said investing over 1.3 million USD in a modern poultry facility at Makerere University Research Institute Kabanyoro was aimed at capacity building and eradication of poverty among Ugandans. “70% of the total budget is mainly funded from quicker and the 30% is funded by Two-Way Enterprises.” Said, Prof. Jin Kook – Chon Buk National University.
“The biggest population in this country depends on agriculture and we need to improve our livelihoods through the communities. We need to train the farmers, train the agriculturalists, and train the local man to be able to make his own money.” Said, William Basazo – Deputy VC, MUK.
The agricultural sector is viewed as the least funded sector, therefore, such Korean investment will boost poultry farming to benefit local farmers.
