Agriculture has for long been Uganda’s major economic activity. The country is gifted with ample fertile land, regular rainfall and mineral deposits, and that all are favoring agriculture.
With this fact, the Chinese government through Zheng ZhuQiang, their ambassador to Uganda, comes out ready to support farmers in Uganda that are interested in mushroom growing.
ZhuQiang, during a meeting with Ernest Kiiza, the state minister of Bunyoro Affairs, informed that China is an agricultural country just like Uganda. In this sense, he reported that China is ready and willing to render support to all the agricultural projects in the country (Uganda), sharing its experiences and agricultural lessons with Ugandan farmers.
“Agriculture is a key to economic development and especially to Uganda’s economy, agriculture contributes 25% to the country’s GDP and 55% to its exports,” explained Zheng ZhuQiang.
Chinese ambassador to Uganda in his speech said that, the Chinese embassy is ready to work hand in hand with Ugandan farmers that have interest in mushroom growing.
ZhuQiang went further and elaborated that, China will keep rendering support as for mushroom growing if supported, has the capability to help small scale farmers in catering for their families.
Upon saying all of this, ZhuQiang handed a cheque of sh.10.8 million to Kitara Community Development Initiative (KCDI).
“The President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, is supportive of those practicing agriculture. Therefore, we are too interested in helping those who help themselves,” said ZhuQiang.
On his thanks giving remarks, Ernest Kizza pointed out that the opportunity will not only help out in mushroom growing, but also to fight
the rampant unemployment in the youths.
Godwin Ntegeka, the executive director of KCDI, also added that empowering the youth especially the unemployed, is part of the initiative’s goal doing it through mushroom growing, and with the Chinese government support, it is going to be much easier.
Ernest Kiiza still informed that, the government of Uganda is also equally willing to support the programme as it is in a struggle to transform subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture.
This transformation may help the country to archive middle income status by 2020, according to Kiiza.
Correspondent: Shamilah Namuddu
