The Minister of Agriculture Animal industry and Fisheries Hon Frank Tumwebaze has commissioned the Egypt-Uganda Joint Model farm Project. The event took place at Kisozi in Gomba district where the modern farm is located.
The modern farm, also known as NEC Farm sits on 9 square miles of land and is being developed by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) the commercial arm of the ministry of defense, aimed at promoting the production of meat for export to Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Following an agreement signed between Uganda and the Arab republic of Egypt, the farm is managed by the ministry of agriculture together with the land reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Hon Frank Tumwebaze toured the Egypt-Uganda bull-fattening farm, where it was reported that bulls add 1.35kg of weight every day. He also went ahead to visit the sister farm in katonga which has over 700 animals of varying genetics of Boran and Brahman breeds.
According to Gen James Mugira the Managing Director NEC, another farm is being developed in Kyankwanzi district and it is to also create adequate meat export. “We wish to also inform you that a similar joint model farm covering a bigger area square miles is being set up at Kyankwanzi,” he said.
Hon Frank Tumwebaze thanked the government of Egypt for valuing the partnership with Uganda.
He also said the ministry had a strategy of supporting lead farmers as one of the means to support surrounding farmers or out-growers. “We want to put money in Katonga farm because we want to ensure that the surrounding communities use this as their anchor factor to enable them,” he added.
This project has strengthened the relations of the two countries and it is set to boast the economy of Uganda.