Government, through the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), has finalized plans to modernize Rubona Stock farm into a state-of-the-art facility, writes ERNEST JJINGO.
Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze says the Tooro sub-region is set for a major economic shift when government finalizes the allocation of funds to transform Rubona stock farm, located in Rubona town council, Bunyangabu district. Tumwebaze said this during an on-spot inspection of the farm on January 3, 2025 before laying out the long-term plans for the facility.
“I am impressed that the different breeds, such as Ayrshire, Jersey, Friesian, and Ankole crosses, are doing well in terms of milk production and other genetics. I thank management,” he said.
“We shall expand the farm’s infrastructure for large-scale breeding and transform farmers’ livelihoods in the region.”
On his part, Peter Beine, the NAGRC executive director, welcomed Tumwebaze’s promise and pleaded with him to lobby cabinet colleagues for Rubona’s requisite funding that NAGRC has continuously presented in previous financial years. He also noted that Rubona is endowed by having River Nsongya crossing through it because it aids in provision of water on the farm for both animals and humans.
“I am glad the minister has reached the ground to see the grand plans we have. I can assure all farmers and Ugandans that Rubona holds immense capabilities to transform dairy farming in the region if provided with the funding it deserves,” he said.
“We are going to incorporate advanced practices, technologies and infrastructure to optimize livestock production and ensure sustainability for all stakeholders.”
GRAND PLAN
In divulging some of the plans set to be completed in 2027, Beine said they were to construct well-designed barns and shelters, automated feeders and waterers, as well as proper systems for manure collection, treatment and disposal.
“This is going to ensure consistent and efficient feed and water delivery and prevent environmental pollution.”
Meanwhile, NAGRC also plans to install monitoring systems for tracking individual animals’ performance, weight gain and reproductive status, but, as Beine noted, their main focus is on high- quality breeding programs.
“We are keen on genetic improvement for traits like disease resistance and high milk yield, as well as access to superior genetics to improve herd quality.
ABOUT RUBONA
Rubona sits on 746.9 acres of land, and at the moment, the farm comprises 215 milking cows, 312 heifers, 63 bulls and 150 savannah Boer goats. The farm also has three fish ponds.
The dominant pasture species are star grass, Congo signal grass, Napier grass and Chloris gayana, and a few legumes like silver leaf desmodium and leaf desmodium, as well as lots of paddocks.
What’s more, the farm operates an enterprise, which is a financial-inclusion partnership with the surrounding communities. According to Dr Godwin Bagaba, the farm manager, on average, the farm collects 1,200 litres of milk.
“We sell this milk to traders in the Rubona town council, Kisomoro trading center, and Fort Portal city; some is bought by the community around the farm. The farm employs 32 workers; and he explains that his role involves directing supervisors and coordinating all farm activities.
“Weareonapathto turn around the fortunes of farmers and traders in the sub-region, and we have set our goals to rival other NAGRC farms like Kasolwe.”
OWC PARTNERSHIP MAGIC
In 2021, NAGRC opted to go into a full-blown partnership with OWC to transform farmers’ lives using Rubona and other communities where their farms and ranches are located. According to Beine, NAGRC technical staff previously struggled to make an impact on communities.
“Our people would go out in the field to provide services such as genetics and training to farmers who had not been fully selected and prepared to receive and use those solutions.” But from the time we partnered with OWC, we have been able to solve that problem.
“The key thing is that OWC has an elaborate network and a strong presence in the field. They actually have last- mile infrastructure service delivery, which no government agency has. Therefore, this has enabled us to reach out to a greater number of farmers than previously,” he stated.
Meanwhile, recent figures from the ministry of Agriculture show that Uganda’s milk production has reached over two billion litres, raising prospects for more large-scale investments in the dairy industry.
Tumwebaze attributed this sharp rise to the improved genetics of dairy breeds that farmers are now using. According to Beine, this is more visible in NAGRC’s collaboration with OWC because farmers are now using dairy breeds that are able to produce 30 to 40 litres of milk per day.
On the other hand, he said, the partnership has also helped farmers access superior pig breeds that have an average litter of 15 piglets per farrow.
“We have now been able to identify, train and help provide farmers with poultry varieties that are able to mature in four to five months and can lay at least 200 eggs a year. When it comes to small ruminants, he said, farmers are now able to receive goat breeds that can put on an average weight of 200 grams per day and which can mature within one year.
“In general, our solutions, in collaboration with OWC, are now being delivered to carefully selected beneficiaries who are organized and prepared. They are now making pragmatic use of our interventions to run sustainable and profitable agronomic enterprises. We are now more efficient and results obviously speak for themselves.”
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