It is surprising that the cattle farmers at Namutamba are yet to get modern. Through the 1970’s to date one sees the cattle keepers at Kyetume using traditional methods. The fencing using natural trees which exploit the soil are the norm. The ‘Busitani’ trees were there when we were young and today one sees the same! Why are we not having trees which are food for cattle? Why don’t we have fewer cattle and emphasize quality vis a vis quantity? Why don’t we see farmers practice zero grazing for their cattle?
Strategy number one should be to see improved breeds of cattle. This can be done when we get in touch with Dr. Ssemambo at Entebbe Breeding Centre. With cattle which can give our farmers greater milk, these farmers will surely be in business. Dr. Ssemambo is on telephone number: +256772421469 and surely a strategy can be got by which he can ably send staff from his office to artificially inseminate cattle of the people of Namutamba.
These farmers should have water harvesting strategies so that much of the would be run off is collected, and even in gardens we should see that our people gather water that can irrigate their gardens. Given the dry season experience, the people of Namutamba should venture into strategies to make hay so that even when it gets dry, there is means to provide for the cattle.
The cattle keepers should ensure that the cattle get the right veterinary services. At this point in time it is bad news if our cattle keepers can have cattle which has ticks.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
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