The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has praised the Busoga Consortium for Development (BCD) for championing an innovative rural transformation model that is integrating agriculture, education, nutrition, and community empowerment to improve livelihoods across the Busoga sub-region.
The commendation was made by the FAO Country Representative in Uganda, Mr. Ezana Getahun Kassa, during his official monitoring visit to Busana Model Village in Kamuli District, where he assessed progress of the Village Agriculture Model (VAM) and the pioneering Soya Milk School Feeding Programme implemented at Buteme SDA Primary School, the designated model school for the village.
Busana Model Village located in Kamuli District is one of the 12 Model Villages being pioneered by the Busoga Consortium for Development in collaboration with China Agricultural Univserty (CAU) as epicentres for rural transformation and transfer of modern best practices to guide Busoga out of poverty by 2030.
The visit attracted thousands of learners, parents, farmers, teachers, district leaders, Members of Parliament, development partners, and community members who gathered to witness the progress of one of Busoga’s flagship initiatives aimed at transforming rural communities through agriculture and education.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Kassa commended the Busoga Consortium for Development for demonstrating how strategic partnerships can deliver sustainable solutions to challenges affecting rural communities. “I wish to commend the Busoga Consortium for Development for its excellent work in promoting model villages and strengthening community development.
This initiative demonstrates how partnerships can improve livelihoods, nutrition, education and resilience at the grassroots level,” Mr. Kassa said.
He noted that the visit provided an opportunity to witness practical interventions where schools, families, farmers, and communities are working together to improve food security and household incomes.
School Gardens Driving Nutrition and Practical Learning.
H.E . Ezana Getahun Kassa FAO Country Representative in Uganda planting soya at Buteme Light SDA Primary School garden during the His official monitoring visit to Busana Model Village in Kamuli District.
One of the key areas of focus during the FAO Rep. visit was the school garden initiative at Buteme SDA Primary School, where learners are being trained in agriculture, nutrition, environmental conservation, and food production.
Through the school garden and Soya Milk Feeding Programme, learners are gaining practical knowledge while the school explores sustainable ways of improving nutrition through locally produced foods.
Mr. Kassa praised the initiative, saying school gardens should not only be viewed as learning spaces but also as community assets capable of improving nutrition and strengthening food security.
He encouraged parents and communities to actively support school agricultural projects, noting that young learners must be introduced to agriculture as a modern and profitable sector.
“Agriculture should no longer be viewed as a last resort but as a modern, innovative and profitable business. We need young people to become commercial farmers, agripreneurs, processors and innovators within the agrifood sector,” he said.
However, school officials highlighted challenges affecting the expansion and sustainability of school gardening programmes, including limited access to agricultural tools, water supply challenges, inadequate inputs, and the need for continuous technical support.
Beyond the school environment, H.E Kassa and delegation visited community agricultural projects under the Village Agriculture Model, including poultry enterprises supporting households to increase incomes and improve nutrition.
Mr. Kassa encouraged women and young people to embrace enterprises such as poultry farming, describing them as accessible businesses capable of improving livelihoods.
He also highlighted the importance of value addition, citing the production of soya milk from locally grown soya beans as an example of how communities can increase farmer earnings, create employment, and address nutrition challenges.
He called for increased adoption of modern agricultural technologies, including improved seeds, irrigation, mechanization, digital agricultural advisory services, and climate-smart farming practices.
He reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting agricultural transformation initiatives in Uganda, particularly programmes focused on school gardens, youth employment, women empowerment, climate resilience, and value chain development.
“We intend to continue supporting and scaling up the efforts of the Busoga Consortium for Development as it advances agricultural transformation within the sub-region,” Mr. Kassa affirmed.
Kamuli District Chairperson Mr. Dhizaala Kaloli noted that all schools in the district are directed to embrace school agriculture. The District Executive and Council pledged to donate 50 hoes to each school to strengthen agricultural learning and encourage food production among pupils.
The district also pledged to improve roads leading to the Busana Model Village and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Village Agriculture Model (VAM) initiative.
Busoga Parliamentary Caucus Commits Support to Agricultural Transformation
Speaking on behalf of the Busoga Parliamentary Caucus, Chairperson Hon. Stephen Kisa Bakubalwaayo commended the initiative, describing the Village Agriculture Model as a practical pathway for transforming Busoga from subsistence farming into commercial agriculture.
He said the integration of poultry production, soya farming, and school feeding programmes provides a model that can address household poverty, child nutrition, and unemployment.
“What we have witnessed today—from commercial poultry production and soya farming to the innovative Soya Milk Feeding Programme at Buteme SDA Primary School—provides a clear blueprint for Busoga’s economic transformation,” Hon. Kisa said.
He appealed for increased investment in climate-smart irrigation, mechanization, agro-processing, and value addition to strengthen agricultural productivity and market access.
Busoga Vision 2030 through Model Villages
Representing the leadership of Busoga, the Vice Governor of the BCD Mr. Isabirye Shabiru Kalulu described the FAO visit as a significant milestone in the region’s journey towards achieving middle-income status by 2030.
He explained that Busana is among 12 (twelve) Model Villages being pioneered under the Village Agriculture Model to demonstrate how agriculture, education, health, environmental conservation, tourism, and industrial development can work together to transform communities.
He said each model village is supported by a model school expected to demonstrate excellence in education, administration, infrastructure development, and practical agricultural learning.
The Vice Governor praised Buteme SDA Primary School for integrating school gardens with the Soya Milk Feeding Programme and announced plans for other schools across Busoga to adopt similar approaches.
“We have resolved that primary schools across Busoga should emulate Buteme SDA Primary School by establishing school gardens for the production of soya beans and maize to support sustainable school feeding programmes,” he said.
Owek. Nantale Nasabu Minister of Education Busoga Kingdom called upon the District Education Officer to fully support and promote the project in schools. She also reaffirmed the Busoga Kingdom’s commitment to advancing agriculture and education initiatives across the region.
Dr. Mula Anthony, Director General of the Busoga Consortium emphasized that the Village Agriculture Model complements and strengthens the Parish Development Model, noting that “successful villages build successful parishes.” He commended China Agricultural University (CAU) for the support towards the Soya Milk School Feeding program and ecouraged all Primary schools to embrace the program.
Dr. Mula further announced that, through collaboration with district leadership, tree seedlings will be distributed to every household and school. The trees will help mark boundaries while promoting environmental sustainability.
He highlighted that health is one of the seven pillars guiding Busoga’s transformation, aligned with efforts to implement the Government Manifesto across the sub-region.
The soya milk programme will continue to be expanded in schools to improve child nutrition, support learning, and create a sustainable market for locally produced soybeans.
