Northern Uganda Farmers Urged to Embrace Commercial Farming for Daily Income

Smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda are being encouraged to shift from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming, with experts saying diversified production on even small pieces of land can generate steady household income.

At City Gate Mixed Farm in Amuca, Lira City, farmers from different parts of the region are being exposed to a four-acre model demonstration farm showcasing how integrated agriculture can be turned into a reliable business.

The farm’s Chief Executive Officer, Pius Olam, said the model is designed to help ordinary farmers understand that agriculture can move beyond survival to become a source of daily income and wealth creation.

“We are showing farmers that they do not need large land to succeed. With proper management, even a small piece of land can support multiple enterprises that generate income throughout the year,” Olam said.

He explained that the farm integrates dairy production using Friesian cows, poultry farming for eggs and meat, coffee growing using elite varieties, matooke cultivation, pasture production and organic manure processing.

Olam urged farmers to embrace diversification, saying combining enterprises ensures continuous cash flow, with products such as milk and eggs providing daily income.

He, however, warned that challenges such as animal diseases, weather changes, livestock theft and high production costs continue to affect farmers, but said these can be addressed through improved animal husbandry practices, use of quality breeds and better farm security.

City Gate Mixed Farm Manager Nek Edwin Ian said the farm currently manages about 25,000 layer chickens, 10,000 broilers and a dairy unit of 10 cows, one bull and four calves. Another section in Apac hosts about 198 free-range cattle.

Ian said farmers are trained on feeding practices using elephant grass, sugar graze and hay to boost milk production, while improved goat breeds such as Boer, Savannah and Red Kalahari are used because of their adaptability to Northern Uganda’s climate.

He added that regular spraying, proper housing and close monitoring of young animals have helped reduce disease outbreaks and improve productivity.

According to Ian, the farm generates an average of about Shs10 million daily, mainly from eggs, milk and livestock sales.

Farmers who have visited the model farm say it has changed their understanding of agriculture.

One of the visiting farmers said the demonstration showed that farming can be profitable even at small scale if properly managed and diversified.

“I have realised that you don’t need to start big. Even one enterprise can grow into a business if you take care of it well and reinvest the profits,” one farmer said.

Miss Tourism Uganda Northern Region Operations Manager Olal Jimmy Winter said the visit was part of efforts to expose young people and communities to agribusiness opportunities.

He said agritourism is also emerging as a tool for learning, allowing farmers and visitors to gain practical knowledge from model farms.

Winter noted that the demonstration farm had shown farmers that agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy and a viable path to employment and income generation.

He encouraged farmers to adopt knowledge-based farming, saying success depends on skills, planning and embracing modern agricultural practices.

The initiative continues to attract farmers seeking practical solutions to improve productivity and household incomes in Northern Uganda.