{UAH} Understand the Fundamental Nature in the difference

Forumists

 

I have suggested in this forum not once but so many times over – that extensive commercial farming is no solution to Uganda's poverty alleviation and development. Growing in a farming family – it is my experience that crop production was not driven by huge quantities produced, but rather a possibility to sell the produce, determined the quantities produced. 

If previous prices for cotton, coffee and certainly maize (exported then to Kenya) were good – the villagers could wait for next season in celebrations. Very small scale translated into mild scale and so on and so forth.

I have been able to traverse this country. NRM peasants expend huge amounts of effort producing food often times for subsistence. The enormous put by the Bakiga to produce has really amzed me. Yet my study shows that the returns are almost in negative. 

Contradictorily, markets around this country are supplied with foodstuffs grown on small acres of land! As ones drives through Kigezi, Buganda and Busoga this is what one witnesses.

Just get a list of items at Nakasero, Owino markets and see my point. This refers to all types of meat production as well. 

In a purely economic sense, it is this small-scale supply chain of foodstuffs and of course not to mention the good climate that has held the prices in this fair country very low indeed.

I am yet to understand NRM farm production logic. 

They cut down Kalangala forest in cohorts with slim minded Baganda at Mengo. They saw forests and trees as an absolute obstacle to the development of Lake Victoria Islands! Even Kabushenga's New Vision save lake Victoria crusade has not woken up the doubting Thomases.

The on slaughter on Lake Victoria resources is going on unabated. 

My observation shows that the Basoga too have benefited zero from massive sugar cane growing, compared to their equally poor Baganda growing pineapple in Bugerere, Bulemezi and Buddu and rich Banyankole Matoke and milk producers, for export and domestic markets. Besides, Basoga still in sweet potatoes and groundnut production area, are always reaping heavily. The same goes with small-scale rice producers in Bugishu and now Buganda.

Prof. Bukenya's effort has turned this country into a world rice produces – no big farms not one. 

The same applies to West Nile as a tobacco growing region compared to Bugishu coffee growing. In West Nile, despite being one of the most beautiful places on earth, particular in highlands of Koboko there is nothing in terms of affluence. 

 

Forests here are gone and gone forever.

On the above basis – I encourage the Bakiga, Baganda, Banyoro, Basoga, Madi and Alur to make sure that they resettle their population that have encroached on once forested regions and land to grass land regions. 

More people would be better off in small scale farming rather than large scale – given the uncertainties in world food trade.

Besides, from my own encounter, this country is destined to worst climate scenarios in centuries, ever. And it will come as lightning from heaven. 

Reckless farming practices should stop.

The recent dry spell if we had a functional central government – would have been a reason to think deeper. Even then cattle farmers who have suffered enormous with the new rains – the dry spell is now history!

Uganda needs more forests than extensive grass land for cattle farming. Indeed Uganda with farmland exposed to 24 hours of constant good climate all year around can't be compared to cold Denmark when it comes to milk by-products production. The United Kingdom produces over 60% of her sugar needs from sugar beats in only three months around the year.

 Is it not right to understand the fundamental nature in the difference?

Bwanika , Nakyesawa Luwero