Clare
To support the empowerment of struggling farmers, the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, has officially launched the consolidation phase of the Agriculture Development Program (ADP) through CARITAS Fort Portal in Bunyangabu District.
The program, which has been active in various parts of Bunyangabu since 2014, focuses on educating farmers about sustainable agricultural practices, such as the use of organic fertilizers for banana farming, home vegetable gardens, dairy farming, poultry, and piggery. Following the success of its earlier phases, the consolidation phase is set to run until 2026.
During his visit to Kyamatanga, Bishop Muhiirwa expressed his admiration for the work CARITAS Fort Portal has done to promote sustainable agriculture particularly impressed by the flourishing banana plantations, the use of biogas, and the dairy farming initiatives in the homes of beneficiaries.
Miss Juliet Nyakahuma, a resident of Kyawehige Kiyombya and an ADP beneficiary, thanked the Bishop for sending CARITAS to their community, sharing how the program taught them modern methods to improve household income through sustainable agriculture.
Nyakahuma narrated that as a result, she was able to purchase more land from the income generated through the projects and that all 30 members of the Kyawehige Bakyara Tweimukye group are now able to pay school fees and earn money from the agricultural projects supported by CARITAS.
Richard Sabiiti, a member of the Kyamatanga Tweimukye women’s group, also shared his success story, explaining that the pig given to the group by CARITAS enabled him to raise enough money to buy a cow, which has since produced more calves. He expressed his gratitude to Bishop Muhiirwa and CARITAS for their commitment to improving the lives of farmers in Kyamatanga.
Miss Anne Manyindo, the Caritas ADP project manager, praised the Bishop for his holistic approach to development including both spiritual and socioeconomic growth through CARITAS Fort Portal. She encouraged the ADP beneficiaries in over 19 groups in the project to continue practicing sustainable agriculture, as it not only protects the environment but also helps them navigate the country’s challenging economy.
Bishop Muhiirwa praised CARITAS for its tangible impact on improving lives, particularly by increasing household incomes through modern agricultural practices. He commended the efforts of ADP beneficiaries and urged them to pass on their new skills to their children, fostering a generation of hardworking individuals who prioritize agriculture. He encouraged them to engage in collective farming to ensure better market access for their products and focus on income-generating crops.
The Bishop also called for an end to rumors, jealousy, and mismanagement of funds, urging the farmers to focus on investments that will help lift them out of poverty.
