A demonstration farm based on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 4-acre model farming strategy was launched in Kasanje Town Council, Wakiso District, on Friday.
The event, themed “Interpreting His Excellency’s 4-Acre Model Vision for Improved Household Income in the Metropolitan Districts of Uganda,” was officiated by Dr. Hillary Musoke Kisanja, Private Secretary to the President in charge of Youth, Agriculture, Value Addition, and Export Promotion.
Dr. Kisanja emphasized that the launch of Trends Demonstration Farm serves as a robust testament to President Museveni’s vision of creating wealth from small land holdings.
“Farmers from different parts of the country are here to witness the launch of the demonstration farm to show people what the President of Uganda is preaching—that you can create wealth even with a small piece of land by cultivating fruits, and keeping chickens, pigs, and goats,” he said.
The launch also aimed to popularize the growing of Hass avocados, which are in high demand globally for their value-added products. “We are encouraging the population to grow Hass avocado. It’s a crop that brings in money, especially its value-added products that are in high demand on the world market. This means creating a group of farmers who will move from micro to macro production,” Dr. Kisanja noted.
Managed by Trends Agro-Enterprises, the demonstration farm promotes the application of Fertisol organic fertilizers recommended for crop water retention. The launch featured demonstrations of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) led by Mr. Nsubuga Mathias and Mr. Ntege Mathias.
Dr. Kisanja highlighted that the initiative also aims to ensure food security by intercropping bananas with Hass avocados.
“We are launching food security by planting bananas intercropped with Hass avocados. We plan to set up similar demonstration centers in several districts, including Wakiso, Luwero, Butambala, Gomba, Masaka, Kalungu, Kayunga, Buikwe, and Mityana, to promote the President’s 4-acre model,” he stressed.
Ms. Christine Lubwama, a lead farmer in horticulture from Mukono district, discussed the challenges faced by agro-exporters, such as rejections of products that don’t meet international quality standards.
“We have been exporting but face challenges, including interceptions. However, with this launch, we hope these issues will be addressed, allowing us to earn more money,” she said.
Ms. Recho Ssentamu, Vice Chairperson of Nakasero Hardware Business Association, also welcomed the launch of the demonstration farm. The event was attended by government officials and local political leaders.