The Department of production and marketing

1. There are three main sources of livelihood in Kasese; crop farming, cattle keeping and fishing. Other economic activities include trade in commodities (especially at the border), manufacturing industries and mining. The district has also been zoned to guide developments in agriculture.

People in the district are predominantly agriculturalists involved in crop production, animal rearing and lake fishing. Agriculture employs the majority of the people (over 80%). Most farmers are small-holders. Other economic activities include; trade in commodities, manufacturing industries and mining. The district has been zoned into five agricultural zones.

There are three main sources of livelihood in Kasese;

• Crop production,
• Cattle keeping,  
• Fishing.

Status of Major Crops in the District

Complied by John B. Thawite, August 2009

Livestock supplied to the community through the Production sector

Key:
E-Exotic breed, X-Cross breed, L-Local breed, M-Mixed

In general terms, we are offering; 

• Offering farmer extension services, provision of improved technologies through demonstration farmers to Increased production
• Farmer organisation into groups and marketing associations, being implemented by NAADS, and the ware house receipt system currently established at Nyakatonzi for Better marketing.
• Proper post harvest handling being encouraged through farmer training and small scale agro-processing.

  Mubuku Irrigation scheme

Mubuku irrigation scheme covers 2000 ha out of which 516 ha (26%) are under irrigation and continues to enable farmers produce demand crops all year round. Unfortunately, some parts of the scheme do not have access to water and the already established infrastructure needs rehabilitation.

The district has been zoned into five agricultural zones - Coffee, cotton, horticulture (mangoes, pineapples), maize, bananas, cassava, beans, goat raring, diary farming, piggery and fishing.

• We procured and distributed 500 boran bulls to cross breed the indigenous cattle. 
• The district has continued maintaining the Kanyampara water channel that provides water to the cattle keeping community in Nyakatonzi area. 
• A total of 18,150 heads of cattle have been vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Lumpy skin disease. 
• One cattle dip-tank was rehabilitated at Nyakatonzi in Munkunyu sub-county.
• Two (2) deep tanks have been rehabilitated; one in Munkunyu and another in Mubuku Irrigation Scheme.

National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) and the Area-based Agricultural Modernisation Programme (AAMP)

• A total of 2,275 Boer goats have been distributed to farmers.
• A total of 20 dairy cows have been distributed to farmers.
• A total of 1,155 piglets have been distributed to farmers
• A total of 21,207 local poultry have been distributed to farmers.
• A total of 400 exotic poultry birds were procured and distributed to 3 farmers.
• A total of 7,568 kg of rice were distributed to farmers.
• A total of 1,500 kg of improved maize were distributed to 35 farmers
• A total of 15,000 coffee seedlings were procured and distributed to 216 farmers.
• A total of 2,060 improved cassava cuttings were procured and distributed to farmers.
• In addition 98 acres of cassava were established which were mainly for multiplication.
• A total of 5,780 improved banana suckers were distributed to farmers.
• A total of 1,200 kg of Garlic were distributed to farmers.
• A total of 700 farmers have benefited from advisory services by being trained in various enterprises.
• A total of 17 coffees pulpers have been supplied.
• Two modern markets have been built; one at Maliba sub county and another in Lake Katwe sub county.
• Thirteen (13) treadle pumps were received from the NAADS secretariat and passed on to 7 sub counties. These are meant to demonstrate to the farmers the small scale irrigation technology.

Multiplication of the animals that were procured in the first phase is taking place. In Kisinga, Rukoki and Kitswamba subcounties 180 crosses have been registered. In Kitswamba Subcounty, one of the initial goat farmers (Mr. Mafungura) has had his herd to grow from 5 goats to over 45 goats. The farmer is able to sell a cross of 6 months boar male goat at 150,000 thousand shillings. Muranga Ezron has had his hard grow from 2 goats to now 12 goats. Nyakikora group had their herd to grow from 2 to 12 goats.

Horticulture

The district started a horticulture programme – pineapples, mangoes and oranges and has since procured and supplied the following quantities: 

• Pineapple suckers – 1,172,786 (97 acres)
• Mangoes 41,513 (592 acres)
• Oranges 10,751 (143 acres)

NAADS/ Other partnerships in Horticulture - There are two partners: Bukonzo Mixed Farmers Ltd and NASECO. Under the partnership strategy, the NAADS secretariat has implemented the following:

• One nucleus farmer was supported to establish a nursery and mother gardens for pineapples, mangoes and citrus.
• Thirty (30) lead farmers were supported with 12,000 pineapple suckers each, 70 mango trees and 75 citrus seedlings and assorted inputs such as sprayers and knapsacks were procured.

FISHERIES

• Two (2) fish slabs have been built; one at Kayanja and another at Kahendero.

FORESTRY

Two hundred twenty hectares of the district bare hills have been planted with trees. It is also reported that the tree cover in the Rwenzori Mountain National Park has increased by 5% according to satellite images of 1995 and 2005

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