1 Bugabula North Member of Par- liament (MP) Hon. Andrew Allen praised the partnership between Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO) & IOWA State University in Ames, Iowa, USA (ISU) for its contribution towards girl child educaon. Hon. Allen made the remarks in his address on 22/June/2014 dur- ing the commissioning of a girls’ dormitory, school kitchen & toilet Dear reader, Welcome to this edion of our quarterly Newsleer highlighng VEDCO’s activitities for the period April-June 2014. Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy. It directly & indirectly employs 80% percent of Uganda’s populaon. On June 12,during the 2014/2015 Naonal budget reading, the Minister of Finance Maria Kiwanuka revealed that there would be removal of tax exempons on agro-inputs, poultry and livestock feeds and terminated exempon on interest income on agricultural loans. These taxes will with no doubt be a burden to farmers because they will increase cost of producon on the farm. There will be rise in prices of farm inputs making agriculture expensive for the ordinary farmer and even push some out of the sector most especially the small holder farmers. Nice reading. BATEEGA MARK - [email protected]Hon. Andrew Allen commissions school facilities, hails VEDCO/ISU Partnership on Girl Child Education facilities for Namasagali Primary school in Kamuli district. They were all constructed with funding from ISU in Partnership with VEDCO, the Rt.Hon Alitwala, Rebecca Kadaga (MP), the district, parents, teachers & the community of Namasagali sub-county.”Thanks for supporng girl child educaon and being in line with Government’s programme and mandate of educang the girl child” he said. VEDCO in Pictures Budget Speech highlights... Mukono District Nutrion... Regulate Private Sector... VEDCO Gender Acon VEDCO Farmer Field Day... VEDCO scoops Cerficate... Q & A with Mr. Bbemba Naonal Stakeholder Colloquium 2. 6. 3. 4. 5. 8. 9. 10. 11. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Editorial Newsletter FACEBOOK: Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns A QUARTERLY NEWS BULLETIN APRIL - JUNE 2014 ISSUE 1 Hon.Andrew Allen commissioning the School facilies. Cont. to page 2
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VEDCO NewsletterA P R I L - J U N E 2 0 1 4
Bugabula North Member of Par-liament (MP) Hon. Andrew Allen praised the partnership between Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns (VEDCO) & IOWA State University in Ames, Iowa, USA (ISU) for its contribution towards girl child education.
Hon. Allen made the remarks in his address on 22/June/2014 dur-ing the commissioning of a girls’ dormitory, school kitchen & toilet
Dear reader, Welcome to this edition of our quarterly Newsletter highlighting VEDCO’s activitities for the period April-June 2014. Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy. It directly & indirectly employs 80% percent of Uganda’s population. On June 12,during the 2014/2015 National budget reading, the Minister of Finance Maria Kiwanuka revealed that there would be removal of tax exemptions on agro-inputs, poultry and livestock feeds and terminated exemption on interest income on agricultural loans. These taxes will with no doubt be a burden to farmers because they will increase cost of production on the farm. There will be rise in prices of farm inputs making agriculture expensive for the ordinary farmer and even push some out of the sector most especially the small holder farmers. Nice reading.
Hon. Andrew Allen commissions school facilities, hails VEDCO/ISU Partnership on Girl Child Education
facilities for Namasagali Primary school in Kamuli district. They were all constructed with funding from ISU in Partnership with VEDCO, the Rt.Hon Alitwala, Rebecca Kadaga (MP), the district, parents, teachers & the community of Namasagali sub-county.”Thanks for supporting girl child education and being in line with Government’s programme and mandate of educating the girl child” he said.
VEDCO in Pictures
Budget Speech highlights...
Mukono District Nutrition...
Regulate Private Sector...
VEDCO Gender Action
VEDCO Farmer Field Day...
VEDCO scoops Certificate...
Q & A with Mr. Bbemba
National Stakeholder Colloquium
2.6.
3.4.5.
8.9.
10.11.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Editorial
NewsletterFACEBOOK: Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns
A QUARTERLY NEWS BULLETIN
APRIL - JUNE 2014 ISSUE 1
Hon.Andrew Allen commissioning the School facilities.
Cont. to page 2
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The area MP also revealed that the VEDCO/ISU school Lunch pro-gramme at the school which pro-vides a mid-day meal to students improved their diet. He further more encouraged the students to actively get involved in agricultural related activities.
VEDCO Executive Director Mr. Bbemba Joseph acknowledged the importance of partnerships against which the facilities were constructed. He told the gathering that in ISU, there have a long life development partner who they need to continue working with. He thanked VEDCO Kamuli team for tirelessly working hand in hand with the community to see that the dormitory was constructed in time. He cautioned the school & students not to mis-use the facilities.
The VEDCO/ISU partnership which started in 2004 is implementing project activities in 3 sub counties of Kamuli district namely; Bugu-lumbya, Butansi and Namasagali. The activities center on small land-holder farmers to achieve food security, improve household nutri-tion, and stabilize income through sustainable crop production and access to marketing opportunities.
VEDCO Farmer Field Day Excites Mukono residentsFarmer field day celebrations were held on 13/June/2014 at Mukono District Kyampisi Sub County. The event organized by VEDCO in partnership with HarvestPlus attracted hundreds of participants & farmers mainly from Mukono who showcased and sold a number of their products but mainly orange sweet potato varieties & high iron beans harvested from their farms.
Chief guest Dr.Mukulu Fred District Production & Marketing Officer of Mukono commended VEDCO and HarvestPlus for the tremendous work in the area of Nutrition security & pledged his continued support. During the event, VEDCO supported farmer groups entertained guests with educative drama & songs which promoted the production & consumption of orange sweet potato varieties & high iron beans.
VEDCO in partnership with HarvestPlus are implementing a 5 year project (2012-2016) on developing and delivering bio-fortified crops in Uganda (DDBC).In a bid to improve food and nutrition security among small holder farmers, the project promotes the production & consumption of orange sweet potato and high iron beans rich in vitamin A & Iron respectively to combat Vitamin A deficiencies in children under 5 years, pregnant & lactating mothers.
“The event was organized with the objective of demonstrating technologies on orange sweet potato and high iron beans, to enable farmers in community learn more about them and adopt the demonstrated technologies and to also enable farmers share experiences about them, “said Eddie Sansa, Project Extension Officer VEDCO Mukono Field Office.
Andrew Allen commissions... Cont. from page 1
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The programme also provides sup-port for malnourished children,
women of reproductive age, &
families living with HIV/AIDS.
“Investment in education is very
important for every country. Gov-
ernment’s endorsement of girl child
education is key. We should not
forget the boys as well,” said Prof.
David Acker, Dean of Iowa State
University.
Kirunze George Ibembe, Headmas-
ter of Namasagali Primary School
hailed VEDCO for spearheading
the whole process.He mentioned
lack of electricity, school land title,
school fence, boy’s dormitory and
inadequate furniture & staff quar-
ters as some of the challenges the
school is facing.
Kamuli District Education Officer,
Joseph Musoke cautioned parents
who neglect the duty of educating
their children because they think
education is a luxury. “You need
to clothe your children, treat them
when they are sick and educate
them,” he advised.
Namuswa Rhoda a Primary 7 Pu-
pil who spoke on behalf of the
students amazed guests in atten-
dance with her eloquence as she
commended VEDCO for the girls’
dormitory. Other students later on
entertained guests with a poem &
traditional Kisoga dance.
The ceremony started with a brass
band march from Kamuli Town to
the school. It was attended by Par-
ents, District Local council leaders,
Interns from Makerere University,
Kyambogo University and members
of the community. The dormitory
which was fully fitted with beds,
blankets & treated mosquito nets
will accommodate 48 girls.
Hon. Andrew Allen commissions...
Nabbaale Sub county council in Mukono district passed a resolution to award a certifate of appreciation to VEDCO for successfully promoting food & nutrition security in Nabbaale community under the VEDCO/HarvestPlus 5 year project (2012-2016) on developing and delivering bio-fortified crops in Uganda (DDBC).Crespo Mubalya Project Extension officer DDBC project received the award on behalf of VEDCO.
VEDCO ScoopsCertificate of Recognition
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He was appointed Executive Direc-tor on July 2013 replacing Mr. Henry Kizito Musoke. Prior to his appoint-ment, he worked as a Markets and Products Development Specialist with HarvestPlus, an international research organisation. At VEDCO, Mr Bbemba is not a stranger to many. He worked with VEDCO from 2001-2010 in a number of capaci-ties but mainly as the Operations Manager. Despite his busy sched-ule, VEDCO newsletter caught up with him for a Q & A session.
Q: It’s been 1 year since your ap-pointment, what has been your experience at the organization’s top job?
Is it a year yet, how time flies! The experience is more of being the ED and the responsibilities it comes with since I have had a long engagement with VEDCO. However, I must say that initiating change in an institution that has existed for more than 25 years takes a lot of dedication and patience
Q: where do you see VEDCO five years from now?
Well I don’t want to see VEDCO within a timeframe of 5 years but rather twenty years plus. I will not be there in 20 years but will surely set the ground. I want to see VEDCO as the leading force in sustainable Agriculture promotion across the East African region and beyond. But for the next 5 years as an NGO that is accountable and one that offers options to farmers to gain-fully enjoy farming for food and nutrition security as well as income generation.
Q: what contribution has VEDCO made to Uganda’s agriculture sec-tor?
We have over the years organized platforms and open forums for farmers to participate in policy processes on issues affecting ag-ricultural production & marketing at all levels. We have also engaged policy makers on issues like seed security, Agricultural trade, Food & Nutrition security, Land and agricul-tural sector Budget Allocation. Our Institutional agricultural extension system reaches out to thousands of farmers organized in farmer groups, training them in many relevant fields but mainly agricultural entre-preneurship development
Q & A with Bbemba Joseph Paschal Executive Director - VEDCO
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Q:Most People who have worked with you describe you as a man of excellent Leadership abilities, what inspires you?
To me, development work is a call-ing. Besides when you know you have people around who depend on your leadership and survival, you have to act. I am driven by teamwork, Honesty, accountability and the ability to work with every-body. Once I have the people with the same attributes on my team, they make me an excellent leader. To be an excellent leader & success-fully deliver, people have to believe you and be willing to walk with you.
Q: How can farmers benefit from VEDCO?
By being partners with us & not looking to VEDCO as a source of money but rather working with us to uplift their status.
Q : How do you manage to balance work & family?
Every second I have with my family matters. Some people think it’s only about the many hours you spend with them. I sometimes get them to support me in my work and in that way I get to bond with them much more.
It was held on 3/April/2014 at Sheraton Kampala hotel. Speaking at the Colloquium, Chief Guest Hon. Tress Bucyanayandi (MP), Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) was hopeful that despite the challenges the agriculture sector is facing, it is still on the right track. “The problems we are facing cannot be solved in a day; we should solve these issues step by step.” he said
“The government has been in power since 1986, agriculture sector has been facing the same challenges over and over again, so my ques-tion is that what have you been doing all these years?” Said Godber Tumushabe, one of the presenters at the meeting.
The 2ND National Stakeholder Colloquium on Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services
Q & A with Mr. Bbemba
Hon.Tress Bucyanayandi (MP), Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) making a presentation.
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Mr Godber Tumushabe making a presentation during the2nd National stakeholder colloquium on agricultural extension
held on 3/April/2014.
VEDCO staff Kaaya Christine giving her opinion during the 3rd Colloquium on Agricultural extension reforms in
Uganda organised by VEDCO/FRA.
Namuswa Rhoda of Primary 7 speaking on behalf of the students during the commissioning of school facilities in Namasagali primary school on 22/June/2014.
The newly constructed pit latrine for Namasagali Primary school.
VEDCO NewsletterA P R I L - J U N E 2 0 1 4
VEDCO IN PICTURES:
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From Right-Left: Ag VEDCO Programs Director Henry Nsereko, VEDCO Executive Director Bbemba Joseph and Hon. Andrew Allen marching with the students towards the school.
The newly constructed girl’s dormitory for Namasa-gali Primary school in Kamuli district.It accommo-dates 48 girls.
The inside view of Namasagali Primary school girl’s dormitory already fitted with beds, matreseses and mosquito nets.
Members of Mukono District Nutrition Committee during its launch on 23/June/2014.
VEDCO NewsletterA P R I L - J U N E 2 0 1 4
VEDCO IN PICTURES:
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The 2ND National Stakeholder Colloquium on Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services
Terminated exemption on interest income on agricultural loansTerminated exemptions on the following supply with effect from 1st July 2014:
• Supply of Feeds for Poultry and Livestock• Supply of Agriculture and Diary Machinery• Supply of Specialized Vehicles, Plant and Machinery services and civil works related to agriculture
Termination of the exemptions VAT zero-rated supplies with effect from 1st July 2014:• Supply of Machinery and Tools for Agriculture• Supply of Seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides and Hoes
Budget Speech highlightsFY 2014/15 on Agricultural Sector
Mr. Patience Rwamugisha, a member on the inter-ministerial Technical Committee informed participants that the committee recommended that National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) be made a Direc-torate in the Ministry of Agriculture.
However, Dr Margaret Najjingo
Mangheni a lecturer at Makerere
University Department of Extension
and Innovation Studies cautioned
stakeholders not to rush at embrac-
ing the proposal of taking NAADS
back to MAAIF as it will not solve the
current agricultural extension chal-
lenges. To make her point clear, she
gave an example of a doctor who for
7 years prescribed the wrong medine
to a patient. We are the doctors; the
current agricultural extension system
is the patient. Let us prescribe the right medicine” she explained.
The government of Uganda through MAAIF is planning reforms that are
aimed at improving agricultural extension service delivery in the country. The 2nd National Stakeholder Colloquium on Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services is a platform organized by VEDCO & Food Rights Alliance (FRA) in collaboration with MAAIF focusing on the realities of implementing the proposed reforms. Representatives from civil societies, International development agencies and Government were also in at-tendance.
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Mukono District Nutrition Coordination Committee launched, VEDCO selectedto represent civil society Organisations.Mukono district Nutrition Coor-dination Committee (DNCC) was launched 23/June/2014 at Mukono District Local Government offices. VEDCO was selected to represent civil society organizations.
According to Dr.Elly Tumushabe the District Health Officer & focal per-son on the committee, the DNCC formation is in line with the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan 2010-2015 whose goal is to scale up multi-sectoral efforts to establish a strong nutrition foundation for Uganda’s development.
“I have on several occasions been meeting the Chief Administrative
Officer (CAO) Mr. Luke L.L Lokudo on the issue of the district nutrition committee. I am grateful it has fi-nally been launched & as VEDCO we are willing to work with you,” said Crespo Mubalya, Project Extension Officer VEDCO Mukono Field office.
Grace Babirye, Programme Man-ager VEDCO & Coordinator of the Developing and Delivering Bio fortified Crops in Uganda, a project VEDCO is implementing in Mukono in Partnership with HarvestPlus, highlighted Food and Nutrition security as one of VEDCO’s main thematic areas. She reaffirmed VEDCOs commitment to work with Mukono Local Government lead-
ers to improve livelihoods in the district.
The DNCC roles & responsibilities is to ensure that nutrition issues are integrated into the district develop-ment plans & are mainstreamed in planning & budgeting by the district departments, ensure that annual district nutrition partnership fo-rums are held, implementation of nutrition policies, ensure that nutri-tion issues attract political advocacy and establish a practical monitoring and evaluation framework for nutri-tion in the activities of the district.
The committee comprises of Mu-kono District CAO Mr.Luke L.L Lokudo who is also the committee chairman, District Health officer Dr. Mukulu Fred, District Production & Marketing officer, District Commu-nity Development Officer, District Education Officer, District planner and representatives from VEDCO & Uganda Christian University
Members of the Mukono District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) pose for a photo after the its launch
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VEDCO Executive Director Mr. Bbemba Joseph Paschal has called upon the Government of Uganda to come up with regulatory frameworks to guide private sector active in the field of delivering extension services to farmers. He made the remarks while officiating the opening of the 3rd Colloquium on agricultural extension reforms in Uganda with the theme ,”The Role of Private Sector in Delivery of Effective Extension Services in Uganda,” It took place on 22/May/2014 at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
Mr. Bbemba observed that some
private extension firms had gained
confidence amongst farmers because
they provided timely agricultural
extension information services.”The
demand for information is high but
the supply is limited. That is why we
need the private sector to come in,”
he said
Dr. Alfred George Ococh, the
Commissioner, Animal Production
in Minister of Agriculture, Animal
Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)
recognized the role private sector
plays in agricultural extension service
because they supplement and
compliment Government efforts. He
furthermore stated that Government should be at the forefront.
Hon. Dr. Kasirivu Atwooki, former Chairman Parliamentary Committee
on Agriculture told private sector
players to handle farmers well
because customer care is key. “How
you approach farmers will determine
whether they will have confidence in
you and what you are saying or not,’’
he advised
In the 1980s, the Government of
Uganda liberalized agricultural
extension service delivery. This paved
way for the start up of various private
firms dealing in areas like agro-inputs
and market access information which
provided channels for agricultural
technology and information service
delivery to farmers.
The Government through MAAIF
is planning reforms that are aimed
at improving agricultural extension
service delivery in the country. The 3rd
National Stakeholder Colloquium on
Agricultural Extension and Advisory
Services is a platform organized by
VEDCO & FRA in collaboration with
MAAIF focusing on the realities of
implementing the proposed reforms.
Regulate private sector firms on agricultural extension - VEDCO Executive Director
right-left; VEDCO Executive Director Mr. Bbemba Joseph, National Planning Authority Board Vice Chairman Dr Abel Rwendeire and Uganda Debt Network Director of Pro-grams Mr. Julius Kapwepwe Mishambi.
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One of the methodologies VEDCO uses to implement its livelihood pro-grams is the Gender Action Learning system (GALS). Since its adoption in 2012, the methodology involves use of pictorials or visuals to express plans & processes of improving farmers’ value chains performanc-es. The pictorials are in form of road journeys, maps, diamonds & trees.
During the quarter, VEDCO contin-ued to use GALS in all its livelihood programs.
In Amuria District, a value chain ac-tors’ meeting took place 17-18th June 2014.The meeting was facilitat-ed using the multi stakeholder win-win tree tool under GALS. Of the 51 participants that attended, 32 were
males & 19 were female.
From 19th-21st May 2014, a follow up exercise on household visions was conducted in Kamuli district. In its sub counties, 22 females & 22 males participated in the exercise in Bugulumbya, 24 females & 19 males in Namasagali and 21 females & 21 males in Butansi.
VEDCO Gender ActionLearning System (GALS)
IN PICTURE: Eastern region GALS champion staff, Jane Nakiranda facilitating a training
