An agro-industrial hub boosts agriculture in Kalangala

On October 18, the island district of Kalangala rolled out its first-ever agro-industrial hub at the Ssese Farm Institute.

The center is expected to transform raw agricultural produce into high-value products to attract many young people to take up farming and reduce unemployment, which currently stands between 64 and 70 percent. Mr. Allan Kasirivu, who joined the Ssese Farm Institute in 2023, is among 422 youths who have changed their attitude towards agriculture.

He says his parents convinced him to join the institute and learn agricultural skills in order to manage the family coffee plantation. Kasirivu, however, says his love for agriculture has been strengthened by the impressive income the institute earns from its 70 x 100 vegetable garden per month.

“The institute earns 4 million shillings in three months from its small greenhouse, while the farmers I know earn 2 million shillings in a whole year from their cassava,” he says.

Mr Kasirivu says these skills will inspire other young people to take up farming. “Anything related to agriculture can become a valuable product.

Even the bad things we used to throw away can be turned into organic manure,” he says. Available statistics show that around 400,000 young people are released into the labor market each year to compete for the few jobs available. This leads to high unemployment and associated social and economic challenges. Mr Innocent Abasa, director of the Ssese Farm Institute, says the center currently produces 30 agricultural products. “So far, our youth have produced processed animal products, including yogurt, cheese, organic manure and much more. In crop production, they process banana wine, dodo, onion, chili and carrot powders, in addition to organic cooking oil, body jelly and other processed products like broken corn,” he says. He recognizes, however, that much more effort is needed to get young people to appreciate agriculture. “The first thing to do is to teach them (young people) that farming is not just about digging. They can become researchers, consultants, industrialists, veterinary doctors or businessmen and women. They can also become teachers and school leaders,” says Mr. Abasa.

At the center, interns first learn skills in IT, urban agriculture, agribusiness and entrepreneurship before embarking on field work.

Ms Innocent Kemigisha, Senior Technical Officer of Vocational Training at the Ministry of Education, says agribusiness will reduce post-harvest losses, promote economic growth, reduce unemployment and improve food security.

“I assure parents that if they give us bright students, and not those who perform poorly in exams, they will start to see high-value agricultural products flooding the markets,” she says.

Mr. Jackson Baguma, Head of Kalangala District Production Department, sees the center as an opportunity to improve agricultural productivity.

However, challenges remain. Mr Geoffrey Mwesigwa, district education officer, stresses that government support is insufficient.

“Of the 40 staff members at the institute, only 16 are paid by the government, with only nine teaching. This affects the quality of education,” says Mwesigwa.

Local farmer Jacob Senyama, registered with the center, notes that while training is valuable, acquiring the necessary equipment is costly.

“These technologies are useful, but the irrigation systems and machines are expensive. We urge the government to provide equipment in the form of agricultural loans which we can repay after the harvest,” he says. “The hub’s products are not yet certified by UNBS. We pray that this process will be expedited so that the products produced by the school can be sold in the market. This is the only way the institute can attract more students to the centre,” says Ms Victoria Namugenyi, Deputy Chairman of Kalangala Municipal Council.

Traditionally, islanders earn their livelihood from fishing, but many have begun to diversify, with some taking up oil palm, green vegetables, coffee and rice cultivation.