Government to phase out Distribution of Free Seedlings to Farmers

Gov`t to phase out Distribution of Free Seedlings to Farmers

The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja says Government is soon phasing out distribution of free seedlings to farmers.
This was during a two days visit to farmers in Nebbi and Pakwach Districts in West-Nile under the Agriculture Cluster Development Project (ACDP) arrangement.
He told farmers that Government started ACDP project to prepare them in getting away from free things into Business-minded farmers like it is in other Countries.
“We are being accused by Development Partners that we give-out free things to farmers. This is because for them they take agriculture as a business. That is why we came-up with this project”. He said.
Under ACDP, a farmer who is joining the Project for the first time gets 70% in the first season from Government, the second season Government pays for him/her 30% of the inputs because it assumes he will have gained martial to become independent. 
ACDP is a government of Uganda Project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in 42 districts across the Country. It is a 6 years Project implemented with support from International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank focusing on 5 priority commodities (Maize, Rice, Beans, Coffee, and Cassava)
The Overall objective of the Project is to provide farmers in the clusters with subsidized farm inputs, improved agricultural infrastructure, post-harvest handling technologies and more competitive prices for inputs and outputs.
This arrangement suits well in the sector`s Mission of transforming from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, and the Vision which is to promote a competitive, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector.

Applications for 2020 World Bank Young Professional Program

Application for 2020 World Bank selection process for Young Professional Program is open from June 14 - July 28, 2019.

Please encourage as many young people in your network to apply if they satisfy the criteria. Should be born on or after 1 October 1987.

 http://www.worldbank.org/en/about/careers/programs-and-internships/young-professionals-program

Apply as soon as possible.

The 3P’s of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship teaches you a number of lessons about life. 

It is a journey I wish everyone should try even if you do not

achieve your intended destination. it is a very challenging 

journey and a very interesting journey.

There are 3P’s in entrepreneurship which I want to share 

with you today. That is Play, Patience and Persistence.

Play.

Entrepreneurship is like any sport; it cannot be learned by

reading about it. If you want to develop entrepreneurship skills, 

you have to deliberately provide opportunities to learn by doing,

by starting a small real business. You can have a master degree in 

business but nothing can teach you better than doing. 

You cannot score a goal when you are still on a bench until you 

get onto the field. You cannot learn entrepreneurship by reading 

books. You learn by playing in the field of entrepreneurs.

Patience.

A common cancer which is eating up young entrepreneurs
is being impatient. Everyone wants overnight success. once
you enter into the field of entrepreneurship never expect
a straight line. There are ups and downs in along the journey.

Be patient. Do not be in a hurry to win. Some people their
overnight success was 5years others it was 10 years. It takes time.
There are very many occasions when you have self doubt.
Keep positive though it is not easy all the time.
Be impatient to start but once you start be patient.

Perseverance.

Every successful entrepreneur stayed long enough and
treaded a long patiently. In this game irrespective of all the
obstacles and setback that come in your way, it’s important that
you do not take your eyes off the prize.

All start ups go through ups and downs and almost all
entrepreneurs have number of challenging times.
The journey is never straight you just need to practice the 3P’s.
Get involved in the game, be patient and persevere.

Unless you fall in love with the game the temptation to
give up at the first signs of challenges is quite high.  

Company profile. BSMR MILLENNIUM CONSULTS UG

BSMR MILLENIUM CONSULTS UG LTD

COMPANY/FIRM PROFILE    

Beekeeping, a profitable home based farming business

Beekeeping: A Profitable Home Based Business every farmer should consider

Beekeeping has become popular in the past and continues among the most trending agribusinesses as it has become more profitable.
As we continue to celebrate the World Bee Day, MAAIF takes this opportunity to encourage all Ugandan Farmers to take beekeeping as a serious alternative business. There could also be other things connected to beekeeping from which you can earn some good money. Below are some of the many ways you can earn money if you start bee keeping at your farm.
Honey
This is the most obvious yield from beekeeping and it is a highly marketable product because it has gained popularity among many consumers. They often use it in the place of refined sugar which makes it a healthier option. You harvest up to five jerry cans of honey from 60 hives.
You just have to put enough water for the bees to make more hone as well as pineapple and yellow banana peels in your apiary so that the bees do not have to go far away looking for them and these help in the formation of sweeter honey. You can sell each kilogramme at Shs10,000 when on bulk purchases and Shs1,000 per spoonful.
Beeswax
After harvesting the honey there are combs that remain without honey called beeswax. It is used primarily as a building block for the bees’ honeycomb cells in which the young ones are raised and honey and pollen stored. The wax can be converted into many different products including candles, soap, and lip balm. Beeswax prices can vary widely depending on its quality and colour.
You can sell a kilogramme of bee wax at Shs500 or more. The wax can be used as wax sheets for hive baits, bees wax blocks for sale and making candles, floor polish and skin care products.
Propolis
Propolis or bee glue is a sticky mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows and other botanical sources.
The propolis is said to have a variety of medical uses including treatment of sores, bone diseases, acting as an antioxidant used in the prevention of cancer, and boosting immunity. Propolis can be used to treat warts and may help in the treatment of food poisoning. Because of the many advantages, propolis alone ensures a farmer earns more cash than honey. You can sell each litre of propolis at Shs30,000.
Because of its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, propolis has an outstanding value for a wide variety of illnesses. It is also used as ointments for healing cuts and wounds. 
Bee pollen
Bee pollen granules are a “super food” that can boost immunity and provide other health-related benefits such as minimising seasonal allergies, treating osteoporosis, and acting as an antioxidant.
Bee pollen is growing in popularity at natural food stores, health stores, and some drugstores. It can get royal jelly which is the queen bee’s extraordinary source of food.
Other advantages
Plays an excellent role in pollination. Honey bees are the best pollinating agents which help in increasing the yield of several crops like Coffee and many fruit trees.
According to the recent studies, the honey bee’s venom contains a mixture of proteins which can potentially be used as a prophylactic to destroying the HIV virus that causes AIDS in humans.

Government is hiring. In ministries, departments and Agencies. Apply Now

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Ugandans to fill the vacant posts currently available in Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Applications should be filled ON-LINE not later than17^th June 2019.  The e-recruitment system can be accessed on https://vacancies.psc.go.ug/ors

Applicants are advised to: -

a)     Apply ON-LINE;

b)    Scan, attach and submit on-line recent passport size photograph and relevant documents

(‘O’ Level, ‘A’ Level, Degree Transcript and Certificates only);

c)     Each attachment must not exceed a limit of 1MB and only portable documents  format (PDF) is allowed;

Application Process:

a)       Visit the website  https://vacancies.psc.go.ug/ors

b)       Click and Register as a new User to create your account and complete your profile (starting with your bio data moving downwards).

c)       If you already have an account, simply sign in and update your profile.

d)       Click on Jobs then Advertised Jobs in the menu. Select the Advert to view the jobs therein.

e)       Click on the job from the list of advertised jobs.

f)        View the job details and click apply.

g)       Review your application and submit.

h)       You can only apply for a maximum of two (2) posts.

Emphasis: -

a)       Only On-line applications on the e-recruitment system will be considered.

b)       Candidates   shortlisted for Interviews will be contacted. 

c)       Candidates shortlisted for Oral Interviews shall be required to bring along with them certified copies of academic documents, their original certificates including the Degree Transcript and Certificates, a valid identify card.

d)       Serving Officers already appointed in the Public Service shall not be considered for entry level posts under this GRE  advert;

e)       Applicants who shall not hear from the Public Service Commission on completion of the selection process should consider themselves unsuccessful.

f)        In case of any inquiry, call Tel. No.0414-237671 or 0414-254271 or 0414-342279 or send an e-mail tovacancies@psc.go.ug

Applicants should, among others, have the following competencies:

Ethics and integrity; interpersonal, communication and computer skills; ability to adapt to multi cultural settings; effective organizational and planning skills; time management skills; technical skills; report writing skills; negotiation skills; capacity for teamwork; innovation and concern for results, quality and standards.

---

Ministry/Department

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development

Post

GEOPHYSICIST

Scale

U4

Vacancies

2

Reference

HRM 147/286/01

Minimum Age

21

Maximum Age

---

Minimum Qualification

Applicants should be Ugandans in possession of an Honours Bachelors’ Degree in Geoscience with bias in Geophysics, or Physics or Mathematics or Electrical Engineering from a recognized University.

Working Experience

Duties 
The incumbent will be responsible to the Senior Geophysicist for performing the following duties:- 

-      Participating in acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic data;

-      Participating in the evaluation of the appropriate software for seismic processing and quality control;

-      Participating in basin analysis and resource assessment of the different sedimentary basins in the country;

-      Supporting in compilation of subsurface maps and sections;

-      Participating in packaging of seismic data for licensing and promotion;

-      Participating in the evaluation of seismic and support data submitted by companies;

-      Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Job Hiring. A country Director Needed

Cycle Connect is hiring a Country Director in Uganda. Download the job description here: http://bit.ly/CCCDJD. Questions or inquiries about this post, kindly contact Lionel: lionel@edgeperformance.co.ke

For details on the list of jobs and internship available at Cycle Connect in both Gulu and Kampala, visit its website: http://cycleconnect.org/careers/

Subscribe to our articles. Get notified by email whenever we post an article on our blog page

Please subscribe to our articles. Be notified whenever something new is posted. Be up to date with the latest updates and information in the Agricultural and agribusiness fields. Enjoy!!

Common Bean varieties

COMMON BEAN VARIETIES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS

Variety: K131

Variety: K132

Variety: NABE 1

Characteristics

Bush

Small-sized  seeded

Tan/Khaki (Pinto) colour/cream mottled

85-90 days to maturity

Market class

Best suited for high altitude area >1500

Spacing 50 x 10 cm

2000- 2500 yield kg/ha

Drought tolerant

Tolerant to BCMV

Characteristics

Bush

Large seeded

Attractive seed colour

Fairly high yield potential 1500- 2000 kg/ha

80-90 days to maturity

Tasty and swells on cooking

Cooks fairly fast

Best suited for low-mid altitude area 

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

Market class

Characteristics

Bush

Medium-sized  seeded

Attractive seed colour

Fairly high yield potential 1000- 1500 kg/ha

80-90 days to maturity

Tasty and swells on cooking

Cooks fairly fast

Best suited for low-mid altitude area 

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

Market class

Variety: NABE 2

Variety: NABE 3

Variety: NABE 4

Characteristics

Bush

Attractive Black colour

Small-sized  seeded

85-90 days to maturity

2000-2500 yield kg/ha

Disease resistance to BCMV

Drought tolerant

Characteristics

Bush 

Small sized seeded

Red colour

85-90 days to maturity

2000-2500 yi’2eld kg/ha

Disease resistance to BCMV

Characteristics

Bush

Medium-sized  seeded

Attractive seed colour

Fairly high yield potential 2000- 2500 kg/ha

80-90 days to maturity

Tasty and swells on cooking

Cooks fairly fast

Best suited for low-mid altitude area 

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

Market class

Variety: NABE 5

Variety: NABE 6

Variety: NABE 8C

Characteristics

Bush 

Sugar bean

Large size seeded

Speckled colour

80-85 days to maturity

2000-2500 yield kg/ha

Market class

Characteristics

Bush

Small sized seeded

White colour

85-90 days to maturity

2000-2500 yield kg/ha

Market class

Drought tolerant

Characteristics

Local name: Gisenyi

Climber 

Large sized seeded

Red colour

90-110 days to maturity

2500-3500 yield kg/ha

High altitude

Variety: NABE 9C

Variety: NABE 10C

Variety: NABE 11

Characteristics

Climber 

Large sized seeded

White/black speckled colour

90-115 days to maturity

2500-3500 yield kg/ha

High altitude 

Characteristics

Local name: Umubano Red

Small sized seeded

Red colour

Climber 

90-110 days to maturity

2500-4000 yield kg/ha

Tolerant to anthracnose

Low/high altitudes

Characteristics

AFR 721

Bush

103 days to maturity

Variety: NABE 12C

Variety: NABE 13

Variety: NABE 14

Characteristics

Climber

Large seeded

Attractive seed colour 

High yield potential 2500-3500 kg/ha

90-110 days to maturity

Tasty and swells on cooking

Large attractive fresh pods

Cooks fast

Conducive for mid-high altitude area (cool environments)

Has tender leaves

Spacing  60 x 20 cm

Market class

CharacteristicsK

Attractive red colour 

Require mid- high altitude regions for proper colour  dev’t 

Large seeded

High yield (1500-2500 kg/ha)

Vigorous growth habits

Tolerant to bean root rot disease

Tolerant to low soil fertility

Market class

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

Mature in 80-90 days

Characteristics

Attractive red colour 

Require mid- high altitude regions for proper colour  dev’t 

Large seeded

High yield (1500-2500 kg/ha)

Vigorous growth habits

Tolerant to bean root rot disease

Tolerant to low soil fertility

Market class

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

Mature in 80-90 days

Variety: NABE 15

Variety: NABE 16

Variety: NABE 17

Characteristics

Medium seeded

Market class

Early maturity (60-70 days)

Tolerant to bean anthracnose

Suitable for all regions

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

Tasty and swells on cooking

High yield (1800-2000 kg/ha

Characteristics

Medium seeded

Market class

Early maturity (65-75 days)

Tolerant to bean anthracnose

Suitable for all regions

Tasty and swells on cooking

Spacing  50 x 10 cm

High yield (2000-2500 kg/ha)

Characteristics

Market class quality

Highly Palatable

Medium  seeded (46 g/100 seeds)

Oval seed shape

Good seed colour (Red mottled)

Maturity (58-75 days)

Yield (2000-2500 kg/ha)

Bush type (indeterminate bush)

Tolerant  to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS, and other diseases

Variety: NABE 18

Variety: NABE 19

Variety: NABE 20

Characteristics

Northern Uganda Market

Highly Palatable

Large seeded (49.3 g/100 seeds)

Kidney seed shape

Dark seed colour preferred in northern Uganda (Purple mottled)

Maturity (63-78 days)

Yield (2000-2500 kg/ha)

Bush type (determinate bush)

Resistant   to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS & tolerant to Root rot diseases

Characteristics

Market class quality

Highly Palatable

Medium  seeded (40 g/100 seeds)

Kidney seed shape

Good seed colour (Red  mottled)

Maturity (61-70 days)

Yield (2000-2500 kg/ha)

Bush type (indeterminate bush)

Resistant   to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS, and tolerant most of other diseases

Characteristics

Market class quality (Kanyebwa type)

Highly Palatable

Medium  seeded (41 g/100 seeds)

Oval seed shape

Good seed colour (Pink with red tan  mottled)

Maturity (58-70 days)

Yield (1600-2200 kg/ha)

Bush type (indeterminate bush)

Resistant Tolerant  to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS, and most of other diseases

 Variety: NABE 21

Variety: NABE 22

Variety: NABE 23

Characteristics

Market class quality (Kanyebwa type)

Highly Palatable

Medium  seeded (36 g/100 seeds)

Oval seed shape

Good seed colour (Dirty yellow with red tan  mottled)

Maturity (58-70 days)

Yield (1500-2000 kg/ha)

Bush type (determinate bush)

Tolerant  to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS, and most of other diseases

Characteristics

Northern Uganda Market

Highly Palatable

Medium seeded (42 g/100 seeds)

Kidney seed shape

Dark seed colour preferred in northern Uganda (Purple  with white mottles) 

Maturity (58-70 days)

Yield (1500-2000 kg/ha)

Bush type (determinate bush)

Resistant   to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS, and tolerant to root rots and most of other diseases

Characteristics

Market Class (Kanyebwa type)

Highly Palatable

Large seeded (51 g/100 seeds)

Kidney seed shape

Good seed colour (Pink red tan speckles) 

Maturity (64-75 days)

Yield (2000-2500 kg/ha)

Bush type (determinate bush)

Tolerant   to anthracnose , BCMV, ALS, root rots and most of other diseases

Variety: NABE  26C

Variety: NABE  27C

Variety: NABE  28C

Characteristics

Dark red mottled seed

Early maturing

Climber 

Released in 2012

Tolerant to Pythium root rot

Characteristics

Large pinkish seed

Pink  pods at physiological maturity

Climber 

Realesed in 2012

Characteristics

Red mottled seed

Attractive long and large fresh pods 

Climber 

Realesed in year 2012

Variety: NABE  29C

NARO BEAN 1

NARO BEAN 2

Characteristics

Very attractive red seed with 

Shape similar to NABE 12C

Pod shape similar to that of NABE 12C , but slightly shorter

Clean pods at physiological maturity

Climber

Characteristics

Bush type

Large seeded

Attractive seed colour 

High yield potential 100-200 kg/ha

60-90 days to maturity

Tasty and swells on cooking

Large attractive fresh pods

Cooks fast

Conducive for in mid altitudes

Do well in heavy rain rains

Spacing  60 x 10 cm

Market class quality (Nambale short)

Highly Palatable

Medium  seeded (41 g/100 seeds)

Oval seed shape

Maturity (60--900 days)

Yield (1600-2200 kg/ha)

Bush type (indeterminate bush)

NARO BEAN 3

Yellow beans

Requires less rain during harvest

NARO BEAN 4 C

Climber

Do well in higher altitudes

NARO BEAN 5C

Climber 

Do well in higher altitudes

Application for extension workers training.

Information on the training programme under the theme
“Increasing the competence of Agricultural Extension Service Specialists in Uganda¨
scheduled for 2nd September – 29th November 2019.

The Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary (http://www.kormany.hu/en/ministry-of-agriculture), in close cooperation with the leading Hungarian university of applied life sciences (www.szie.hu) and in partnership with Kyambogo University in Uganda (www.kyu.ac.ug) has elaborated a complex training programme to enhance the methodological and professional knowledge of extension service specialists. On the basis of the trainings implemented in 2017 and 2018, the program is being continued in 2019.
Length of the training: 9 weeks, starting from the first week of September. A study-week consists of four days (Wed-Thu-Fri-Sat), daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a lunch break. There will be 10 days break between the modules. The training will finish with an exam. Successful participants will receive a certificate.
Venue: Kampala
Modules of the training:
Methodology of Extension (8 days)
Project management, marketing methods (4 days)
Household economics and nutrition, the role of women (4 days)
Business solutions for small-scale producers (4 days)
Sustainable agricultural management in view of climate change (4 days)
Presentation and performance techniques (4 days)
Preparation for the examination (7 days)
Exam (3 days)
(Course will be taught by leading Hungarian public administration officials and professors, there might be slight change in the program)
Conditions: The course is based on a face-to-face teaching and interactive work. All participants are expected to be present continuously in each seminar. The Hungarian Government will finance a moderate weekly contribution for the participants, on the basis of attendance. Number of participants: 20.
Candidates shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
at least BSc level degree, obtained in field of agricultural science;
working in any form of extension service;
age (preferably below 30 years);
recommendation from the sending organization (the sending organization should confirm that the candidate will be available for the entire period of the training).
Application and selection process: applicants have to send their applications through the following link:
https://form.jotformeu.com/ugandatraining2019/registration-form
Please do not forget to indicate who recommended the training.
Only properly filled applications will be considered.
Deadlines:
sending of applications by 15sth July
notification of selected applicants by the 1st of August
Important notes:
As the number of places is limited, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Advantages of interplanting coffee with other crops

Advantages and disadvantages of inter cropping banana and coffee

The main advantage of intercropping banana with coffee is that the system is usually more profitable and resilient than the production of either crop grown as monocrops.

Banana provides the coffee with shade, which reduces stress on coffee due to wide variation in temperature within the coffee leaf canopy and wind damage. 

Young coffee trees grow well when grown under shade, and shade improves coffee yield and bean quality in mature coffee when moderate amounts of mineral fertilizer are used. Shade can also prevent or at least minimize the incidence of the condition overbearing dieback in coffee. Permanent shade is particularly important for Arabica coffee, especially when fertilizer use is erratic.

The banana also provides mulch to the cropping system. The mulch supports good root development for both the banana mats and the coffee trees and can improve the availability of 

potassium (K) in the topsoil, due to the large biomass turnover. 

The leaf canopy, root system and mulch provided by banana help to minimize soil losses and improve soil moisture conservation.

Intercropping reduces the risk faced by farmers when cultivating monocrops. For example, it is unlikely that both crops will be affected at the same time by pests, disease, or drought stress and market prices for both crops are generally unlikely to ‘crash’ simultaneously

Growing bananas in young coffee plantations also ensures that the farmer gets some returns from the land before the coffee reaches the productive stage.

Bananas and coffee can grow well together, but establishing the best conditions for both crops require careful management of the soil and crop leaf canopies. For example, if the 

shade provided by banana is too dense (more than 50%), coffee yields may also be reduced. 

Conversely, the yield of bananas will be small if there are only a few banana mats and coffee may be insufficiently shaded.

About Know Farming

Know farming is the only blogger site when you are guaranteed knowledge, ideas, and up to take information about agriculture as a whole.
Are you a farmer already, do you wish to join farming as a business, are you a worker but you don't know how to go about farming as you work. This is the only place where you can get the best tips on how to go about your farming experience. We pledge to give you the best and quality information about agriculture and farming as a business.