RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – The Director for Economic Monitoring and Research in the Office of the President, Mr. Tumusiime Vincent Bamugaya, urged Rubirizi farmers to increase productivity by initiating self-sustaining income-generating projects. He made the call during a training session organized by RIPA, emphasizing the need to improve income sources and livelihoods through livestock.
Mr. Bamugaya noted that the meeting aimed to equip farmers with skills to manage their livestock effectively, obtain feedback from beneficiaries, and sensitize new applicants on RIPA’s Animal Banking projects. He highlighted RIPA’s focus on five pillars: Production, Processing, and Marketing; Strategic Alliances and Collaborative Partnerships; Micro Savings, Credit, and Insurance Initiatives; Research and Development; and Enterprise Development.
According to Christopher Akampurira, RIPA’s Head of Strategy, Business, and Marketing, Rubirizi district has a high population density and less than 500 heads of cattle. RIPA aims to bridge this gap by working with families through community empowerment, promoting zero-grazing dairy farming, and value chain production.
Lion Kwesiga Rosebel Akiki Tumusiime, RIPA’s Project Coordinator, outlined the organization’s vision and mission: sustainable alleviation of poverty in rural communities in Uganda. RIPA’s goals include creating a platform for learning, increasing production and productivity, and enhancing value addition in key growth opportunities.
The project targets 500 households in five years, promoting environmental-friendly solutions like climate-smart agriculture and animal waste management approaches to sustainable farming. Over 70 families in Rubirizi have benefited from RIPA’s daily and goat zero-grazing projects, with 100 families and 30 families benefiting from RIPA’s goat and dairy projects, respectively.
Story By: Tugume Muzafaru.
