28 Innovators Graduate Under LADA-SNV-INCLUDE Livestock Project in Bwambara
Rukungiri: Literacy Action and Development Agency (LADA), in partnership with the Inclusive Livestock Development for Smallholder Farmers (INCLUDE) project implemented by SNV in Uganda and funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has graduated 28 innovators from Kikarara Parish, Bwambara Sub-county in Rukungiri District.
The graduation ceremony was held on December 5, at Rwensingyiro playground in Rwensingyiro Cell, Kikarara Parish, and was attended by sub-county leaders, district officials and representatives from the partner organisations.
LADA Executive Director Arthur Mbabazi said the project is currently being implemented in four sub-counties of Rukungiri District: Nyakyishenyi, Ruhinda, Bwambara and Bugangari. He explained that the main goal is to increase livestock productivity, improve household nutrition, and enhance farmers’ access to markets.
Mbabazi noted that the project uses a Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach, where selected smallholder farmers are trained as “innovators” for more than eight months. Each innovator is required to train at least 10 other community members, known as Generation One (G1) farmers.
He revealed that over 285 innovators have so far been trained across the four sub-counties, including the 28 from Kikarara Parish. Mbabazi advised the graduates to put their skills into practice and share the knowledge with their communities instead of keeping it to themselves. He emphasized the importance of improving livestock rearing such as cattle, pigs, poultry and goats as well as constructing better houses.
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The SNV Participatory Integrated Planning Advisor, Laila Kyazike, said the project aims to transform farmers from subsistence production to commercial farming. She said farmers are trained to draw family development plans to help them set clear goals and work towards improving their livelihoods.
Representing the Rukungiri Chief Administrative Officer, district communications officer Rebecca Koshaba thanked SNV for supporting transformation in the district. She applauded the graduates for having clear visions for their families, saying that improved household welfare can reduce problems such as domestic violence, which often stems from poverty.
Koshaba advised farmers to avoid high-interest moneylenders and instead seek loans from formal institutions with lower interest rates. She also encouraged women and youth to take advantage of government loan programs designed to support their development.
Some of the graduates, including Ruth Nahabwe, Stanley Muhumuza, Joice Komuhimbo, Daniel Byarugaba, Mubarak Mukombe, Sarah Natukunda and Kenneth Tumuhimbise told our reporter that they have learned to cooperate better with their spouses, increase livestock production, practice terracing, and improve housing in their homes.
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