Production

BACKGROUND

AGRICULTURE: This is the main economic activity of the people in Kikuube district. Over 83% of the households (hhs) are engaged in agriculture (crop farming and livestock rearing). Of which 77% are still in subsistence agriculture and 6% are engaged in commercial agriculture. 86% of the households are engaged in crop farming while 64% are engaged in livestock rearing (UBOS 2019). 

The main crops grown in Kikuube district with their approximate yields per annum (pa) are Cassava (14,552 MT pa), Bananas (cooking type) (10,267 MT), Maize (10,166 MT), Beans (8,499 MT), Rice (15,919 MT),  Sweet potatoes (5,908 MT), Ground nuts (3,985 MT), Bananas (Beer type) (2,084 MT), Finger Millet (1,790 MT), Sweet Bananas (520 MT), Irish potatoes (563 MT), Coffee (300 MT), Sorghum (284 MT), Cow peas (237 MT), Pigeon peas (112 MT),Sesame (42 MT), Cocoa (15 MT), Soya beans (9 MT), garden peas (8 MT), Vanilla (1 MT).

Coffee-banana (cooking type) intercrop in all LLGs, Tea in Bugambe and Kabwoya, dairy in all LLGs but mainly in Kyangwali and Buhimba sub counties, Cocoa in Kabwoya, Buhimba, Kiziranfumbi and Kyangwali, Tobacco in all LLGs, Farmed fish (pond & cage) in Kyangwali, Kabwoya, Kiziranfumbi and Buhimba sub counties and sugar canes in all LLGs except Kyangwali, are being promoted for sustainable livelihood enhancement and for export.  Sugar cane is a recently introduced crop being promoted mainly by private companies especially Hoima Sugar Factory Ltd located in Kabwoya sub County. However, Sugar cane growing has received mixed reactions from people due to its benefits for generating household income but also its serious environmental concerns (extreme destruction of biodiversity) and causing food insecurity due to conversion of arable/range land intended for growing food crops and rearing animals in all LLGs. Tobacco has become unpopular in the district because of marketing challenges that included surplus crop rejection by the companies, late/none payments of farmers compelling Central Government to intervene, child labour, and environmental degradation in all LLGs.

The livestock enterprises in the district and their projected numbers (2019) are: Poultry (local (797,555) and exotic (45,744)), Goats (122,733), Cattle (Local (59,126) and exotic (3,234), pigs (60,568), Sheep (10,724), apiary (320 hives) and fish rearing. Livestock farming is one of the key livelihood activities in Kyangwali, Kabwoya and Buhimba sub Counties. Local chicken, improved cattle and pigs have had a faster growth rate than other livestock enterprises.

Capture lake fisheries activities are very popular in the district (Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub counties) and Farmed fish production (aquaculture) in ponds has gained momentum in all sub counties but have challenges of accessing quality feeds and fish fry. Cage Fish farming on lake Albert is an upcoming activity implemented by private individuals, Development partners and the district for local revenue enhancement in Kyangwali and Kabwoya sub counties. Cage fish farming on lake Albert is growing steadily because of its profitability. MAAIF mapped out places that are suitable for the venture and is therefore a matter of people coming in to invest by installing the cages. The district has invested in some fish cages for demonstration & LED. Development partners (CNOOC) and LEAF project II have also supported the community in Buhuka parish Kyangwali sub county with cages under livelihood restoration programme.

SUB-SECTORS

The Production department consists of five subsectors: Crop, Veterinary, Fisheries, Entomology and Vermin control. These implement 8 major outputs (i) Agricultural Extension Services (ii) District Production and Management Services, (iii) Crop Diseases Control and Management, (iv) Livestock Health and Management, (v) Fisheries enforcement and management, (vi) Tsetse control and Commercial insects, (vii) Vermin control and (viii) Sector Capacity Development.

Production Sectoral Mandate

The overall sectoral mandate is to increase agricultural production/productivity and utilization/management of the natural resources in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches. 

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL GOAL AND KEY FUNCTIONS

The goal of the department is to transform the farmers from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.

Key functions

  • Implement national policies, plans, strategies, regulations/standards, enforce laws and standards along the value chains of crops, livestock and fisheries.
  • Manage and Control epidemics, sporadic and endemic diseases, pests and vectors.
  • Control and regulate the use of agricultural chemical, veterinary drugs, feeds, vaccines, planting and stocking materials and other inputs.
  • Collect, process and disseminate agricultural statistics and information
  • Support provision of planting and stocking materials and other inputs to increase production and commercialization of agriculture for food security and household income.
  • Monitor, inspect, evaluate and harmonize activities in the production sector including private extension agents.
  • Coordinate provision of advisory services in sub sectors and private actors including cross cutting issues such as Gender, food security/nutrition, and environment.

Key outputs

  1. Service providers along the value chain (input dealers, agro processors, traders, manufacturers, exporters, marketers, private extension service providers) in and outside the district registered and linked to farmers.
  2. Priority commodities promoted and commercialized along the value chains in the productive population
  3. Basic agricultural statistics on acreage, numbers, production, productivity, value addition and marketing along the value chain collected, analyzed in a sample collected from the productive population.
  4. Farmers and Farmer organizations trained in agribusiness.
  5. Farmer households and Farmer organizations at sub county and district level profiled and registered.
  6. Parish Model Farmers, profiled, registered, supported and functional.
  7. Climate smart agriculture promoted.
  8. Cross cutting issues such as Gender, Environment and nutrition main streamed in all production activities.
  9. Coordinate and provide advisory services to farmers in all sub counties and town councils (to the productive population in the district).
  10. Train farmers in the application of at least 3 improved and appropriate yield enhancing technologies (seeds, fertilizers, improved breed/stocks and improved feeds,
  11. Register and link Service providers along the value chain (input dealers, agro processors, traders, manufacturers, exporters, marketers, private extension service providers) in and outside the district to farmers.
  12. Promote and commercialize at least 3 priority commodities promoted in the productive population.
  13. Collect and analyze basic agricultural statistics on acreage, numbers, production, productivity, value addition and marketing along the value chain, in the productive population.
  14. Train Farmers and Farmer organizations in agribusiness,
  15. Profile and register Farmer households and Farmer organizations at sub county and district level.
  16. Profile, register and support Parish Model Farmers

Crop sub sector

Objective of the sub sector

To implement sustainable, market oriented crop production, pest and diseases control, quality and safety of plants and plant products; for improved food security and household income.

Key functions

  • Implementation of policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies in the areas of crop production and marketing, crop protection and on quality and safety of plants/plant products
  • Provision of advisory services in sub sector including private actor players.
  • Provide guidance on the application and dissemination of appropriate technologies and the provision of advisory services for the development of value chains in the sub sector.

Key outputs

  1. Service providers along the crop value chains (input dealers, agro processors, traders, manufacturers, exporters, marketers, private extension service providers) in and outside the district registered and linked to farmers.
  2. Priority crop commodities promoted and commercialized along the value chains in the productive population
  3. Basic crop statistics on acreage, numbers, production, productivity, value addition and marketing along the value chain collected, analyzed in a sample collected from the productive population.
  4. Farmers and Farmer organizations trained in agribusiness.

5.Farmer households and Farmer organizations at sub county and district level profiled and registered.

  1. Parish Model Farmers, profiled, registered, supported and functional.
  2. Climate smart agriculture promoted.
  3. Cross cutting issues such as Gender, Environment and nutrition main streamed in all production activities.

9.Coordinate and provide advisory services to farmers in all sub counties and town councils (to the productive population in the district).

  1. Train farmers in the application of at least 3 improved and appropriate yield enhancing technologies (seeds, fertilizers, improved breed/stocks and improved feeds,
  2. Register and link Service providers along the crop value chain (input dealers, agro processors, traders, manufacturers, exporters, marketers, private extension service providers) in and outside the district to farmers.
  3. Promote and commercialize at least 3 priority commodities promoted in the productive population.
  4. Collect and analyze basic agricultural statistics on acreage, numbers, production, productivity, value addition and marketing along the value chain, in the productive population.
  5. Train Farmers and Farmer organizations in agribusiness,
  6. Profile and register crop Farmer households and Farmer organizations at sub county and district level.
  7. Profile, register and support Parish Model Farmers

Livestock sub sector

Objectives of the livestock sub sector

To implement sustainable livestock diseases and vector control, market oriented livestock production, food quality and safety; for improved food security and household income.

Key functions

  • Implementation of policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies in the areas of crop production and marketing, crop protection and on quality and safety of plants/plant products
  • Coordinate provision of advisory services in the sub sector including private actor players.
  • Provide guidance on the application and dissemination of appropriate technologies and the provision of advisory services for the development of value chains in the livestock/veterinary sub sector.

Key outputs

  1. Service providers along the livestock value chains (input dealers, traders, exporters, marketers, private extension service providers) in and outside the district registered and linked to farmers.
  2. Priority livestock enterprises promoted and commercialized along the value chains in the productive population
  3. Basic livestock statistics on numbers, production, productivity, value addition and marketing along the value chain collected, analyzed in a sample collected from the productive population.
  4. Farmers and Farmer organizations trained in agribusiness.
  5. Farmer households and Farmer organizations at sub county and district level profiled and registered.
  6. Parish Model Farmers, profiled, registered, supported and functional.
  7. Climate smart livestock rearing promoted.
  8. Cross cutting issues such as Gender, Environment and nutrition main streamed in all livestock activities.
  9. Train farmers in the application of at least 3 improved and appropriate yield enhancing technologies (seeds, fertilizers, improved breed/stocks and improved feeds).
  10. Livestock and pet diseases effectively managed and controlled through treatment, surveillance and vaccination.
  11. The handling of livestock products effectively regulated through enforced.

Fisheries sub sector

Objectives of Fisheries subsector

To implement sustainable, market oriented fish production, management, development and control quality and safety of fisheries products; for improved food security and household income.

Objectives of the fisheries sub sector

To implement sustainable lake fishing and aquaculture for improved food security and household income.

Key functions

  • Implementation of policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies in the areas of fisheries production and marketing, protection and on quality and safety of fish products
  • Coordinate provision of advisory services in the sub sector including private actor players.
  • Provide guidance on the application and dissemination of appropriate technologies and the provision of advisory services for the development of value chains in the fisheries sub sector.

Key outputs

  1. Service providers along the fisheries value chains (input dealers, traders, exporters, marketers, private extension service providers) in and outside the district registered and linked to farmers.
  2. Fish Farmers and Farmer organizations trained in agribusiness.
  3. Fish Farmer households and Farmer organizations at sub county and district level profiled and registered.
  4. Cross cutting issues such as Gender, Environment and nutrition main streamed in all fisheries activities.
  5. The handling of fish products effectively regulated through enforcement.

CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL INTERVENTIONS IN KIKUUBE DISTRICT

 Climate change effects in the district

  1. Reduced yields of crops (maize, rice, Bananas, beans, Irish potatoes), livestock (reduced growth rates, reduced milk yields, increased mortalities due to increased disease incidents). This has an overall effect on availability of food for consumption and nutritional security.
  2. Prolonged drought
  3. Prolonged rains/flooding.
  4. Increased pests (Fall Army Worm) and diseases (Banana Bacterial Wilt, Black quarter, Tick resistance to acaricides etc)
  5. Land degradation (due to extreme drought periods, extreme rains) leading to poor crops (less nutrients, less food)
  6. Reduced livelihoods

Adaptation practices due to climate change in the district

  1. Improvement on farming practices/farming technology
  2. Measurement of soil nutrients to determine fertility (soil test kits) so that we advise farmers to add nutrients only when its necessary = precision farming.
  3. Encouraging/Supporting irrigation of crops
  4. Encouraging the growing of shed trees to act as shields of crops/livestock from extreme drought especially fodder tree (calliandra, Lucernae).
  5. Feed preservation (making hay and silage, straw and Stover feeding)
  6. Controlling invasive weeds from farms
  7. Planting early maturing varieties
  8. Pasture establishment and maintenance
  9. Crop rotation
  10. Water harvesting
  11. Contour farming/terracing to prevent soil erosion
  12. Mulching and intercropping

 

  1. Provision of appropriate information to farmers
  2. Information from metrology center in Entebbe on appropriate time for planting and volumes of rains to be expected/ appropriate crops to plants (early maturing)
  3. Encouraging smart decisions in the face of climate change.
  4. Encouraging growing early maturing varieties
  5. Use of resources sustainably (inputs, water etc)
  6. Using value chain approach (bringing different actors nearer to the farmers i.e input providers, extension agents, marketers).
  7. Encouraging use of best practices in farming and livestock rearing.
  8. Encouraging and promoting a healthy farmland that captures carbon and soil (reduction of green house gases)
  9. Policies that promote climate smart agriculture
  10. Farmers with 5 acres and above only to grow sugar canes in the district

Tenets of climate smart agriculture (CSA) in the district

  1. Ensuring there is enough food
  2. Ensuring healthier landscapes resilient to floods and droughts
  3. Ensuring healthier plants capture more carbon

Focus areas for Climate smart agriculture in the district

  1. Farms (crops, livestock, fish, apiary)
  2. Landscapes
  3. Food systems
  4. Services

Climate smart options for landscape services in the district

  1. Restore degraded wetlands, grasslands and watersheds
  2. Create diversity of land uses
  3. Increase cover of trees and perennials
  4. Harvest floods and manage ground water
  5. Protect against soil erosion
  6. Composting (FYM)
  7. Pasture establishment (cut and carry for livestock) and preservation

 

Climate smart Agriculture options for crops/fields in the district

  1. Crop diversification
  2. Agroforestry, intercropping and on farm biodiversity
  3. Better soil and nutrient management e.g erosion control
  4. Improved water use efficiency (irrigation systems)
  5. Monitoring and managing new trends in pests and diseases
  6. Altering cropping patterns and planting dates where possible

 

Climate smart Agriculture options for livestock in the district

  1. Aim at providing/encouraging high quality diets that increase conversion efficiency
  2. Improved pasture management
  3. Herd management
  4. Livestock diversification and climate ready breeds
  5. Use of human waste food wastes as feed for chicken and pigs
  6. Encouraging provision of valley tanks/dams
  7. Encouraging use of crop residues for livestock feeds (maize stovars, rice straws etc)

 

Climate smart Agriculture options for fisheries/aquaculture in the district

  1. Monitoring of fish stocks (done in collaboration with MAAIF)
  2. Protection/rehabilitation of breeding grounds
  3. Encouraging/support cage fish farming

 

Climate smart Agriculture options for food systems in the district

  1. More creative and efficient use of by products
  2. Greater attention to food safety
  3. Reducing post-harvest losses and consumer wastage
  4. Improving/encouraging development of storage facilities both at community and household level