The National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) has launched a landmark initiative to revitalize the agricultural landscape of Busoga by distributing high-quality livestock and inputs to farmers.

A ceremony on December 11, presided over by Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, marked the occasion at the Kasolwe stock farm in Kamuli district. The event aimed to provide farmers with superior genetics and essential technologies for transformative agriculture.

The distributed items include 50,000 Kuroiler chickens, 180 grandparent pure-bred pigs, 185 Kasolwe goats, 500 fertility-boosting mineral salt bags, 20 complete Artificial Insemination (AI) kits with assorted semen, and 20 pure-bred Jersey bulls.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to provide farmers with high-quality genetic stock and essential technologies. Dr Peter Beine, the executive director of NAGRC&DB, emphasized the transformative vision behind the distribution.

“This high-value livestock distribution is not merely a handout; it is a strategic seed for economic change,” Dr Beine stated. “By placing superior genetics like the Kasolwe goat and high-yield poultry directly into the hands of Busoga’s farmers, we are catalyzing a shift from subsistence to profitable, market-oriented agriculture.”

“We are building resilient livelihoods and transforming the entire region’s productivity through this program,” Dr Beine added.

Kasolwe stock farm, managed by NAGRC, has been transformed into a hub for high-value agro-enterprises. Its operations now encompass intensive dairy cattle breeding, pig and poultry multiplication, hatcheries, and farmed fish production.

The farm gained recent acclaim for developing the highly sought-after “Kasolwe brown goat,” a super breed celebrated for its twinning ability, rapid growth, and resilience in harsh environments. A commercial animal feed plant launched by Kadaga in 2022 produces five tonnes an hour, sourcing raw materials locally.

At the event, Kadaga commended NAGRC for offering viable alternatives to the region’s long-standing dependence on sugarcane cultivation.

“NAGRC is revitalizing livestock farming in Busoga by availing superior breeding stock for chicken, dairy cattle, pigs, goats, and fish,” she stated.