This story was compiled by Hon Tugume muzafaru senior news reporter in rubirizi for media coverage call 0702269259.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in collaboration with Rubirizi District Local Government has trained extension workers, veterinary officers, agriculture officers and leaders of farmer groups in Rubirizi on capacity building to equip them with skills and knowledge to better serve farmers and improve productivity.
The 4-day training was completed today held at Rubirizi District Headquarters was focused on empowering field officers and farmer leaders with practical knowledge to support agricultural development in the district.
According to Dr Benjamin Musoke The Veterinary inspector in ministry of Agriculture said that the training was aimed at equipping participants with skills and knowledge on climate change adaptation, record keeping, value addition, mindset change, commercial farming, and modern farming techniques to help them increase production and household incomes aimed at building the capacity of extension workers, veterinary and agriculture officers meant to help them support crop and livestock farmers in the community so that they can improve on quality and quantity of production highlighted that when extension workers are well equipped, they are able to guide farmers on disease control, better breeds, feeding, and how to adapt to climate change which will ultimately help farmers to commercialize and improve their livelihoods.
He noted that the training is part of government efforts to promote commercial agriculture, food security aand poverty eradication at household level in Rubirizi District and the Ministry is reaffirm their commitment to continue supporting farmers and extension workers through regular capacity building and technical support.
Byaruhanga Peter The Agriculture officer rubirizi said that the district decided to train extension workers because they are the link between government and farmers call upon the people of Rubirizi to embrace commercial agriculture because farming is the way to go and Government is committed to supporting farmers and livestock keepers so that they can improve their incomes and develop their homes.
He urged extension workers to go back to the communities and teach farmers what they have learned which will greatly help to improve the knowledge of government workers and enable them to deliver better services to farmers and livestock keepers noted that capacity building will also strengthen the working relationship between extension workers and farmers in Rubirizi in terms of information sharing, technology transfer and market linkages.
Meanwhile participants who attended the training thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for training them and equipping them because they have learned new things they did not know before, such as climate smart agriculture, record keeping, value addition, group management and how to access markets and these skills will help them a lot as farmers in our families because they have been lacking enough knowledge on how to farm properly, but now with this knowledge we are ready to embrace agriculture because it is what will help us develop.END.
