Information sharing boosts farming in kwegegwa district

RIC-NET as an information center has been at forefront towards helping the farmers in the Rwenzori region. Some of the information provided includes, how to manage small scale plots for profitability, care for poultry and weekly Plant Clinic Refresher trainings have been organized to update the farmers on better practices of Agriculture.

Mrs. Leonida Byavilonda who works as community volunteer and a farmer in kyegegwa Town council and shared her happiness on how RIC-NET has helped her develop a poultry farm. Leonida explained that she got information from the center related to poultry keeping. [Care for chicken, preparing the shed, diagnosis of sick ones and market information. She was helped to network with other service provider like the kyegwegwa Veterinary officer. The information obtained was shared with other people in the village where she comes from. She also gets feedback from the farmers about poultry keeping and issues coming out from the villages.

Success trends.

Using the training she obtained knowledge and skills on poultry farming. Poultry keeping has improved as indicated below.

Number of Chicken kept since 2009-2011

Year.	2008	2009	2010	2011
Number of birds kept	20	44	100	120

Average Income level less expenses since the beginning of her activity

year	2008	2009	2010	2011
Average income per year.	50000	100000	150000	300000

This indicates that the more the chickens less expenses are incurred. The rate per chicken range from10000-15000 depending on the size and the quality. There has been great access to information through RIC-NET information point. Leonida also have been helping the community to provide knowledge on poultry keeping.

According to Ahebwa William, a farmer with Oranges, Pineapples and Mangoes, he explained that, RIC-NET provided him with information on how to plant, care for plant [best agricultural practices] of his fruits. He owns 10 acres of land.

Table showing planted area.

Plants.	Oranges	Mangoes	pineapples
Quantity.	250 per tree	156 per tree	1500

Output for the past income for the past one year.

Plants	Average Output per pant in 4 months	Income	Average income.
Oranges	5 basins	50000	12,500,000
Pineapples		1000 per fruit.	1,500,000
mangoes	4 basins	20000	3,120,000

Income is likely to double next year because the plants are going to yield more than this year.

The secret behind this is the proper care of the plants by using proper pesticides, manure and proper care of the field.

Advice to other small scale farmers.

-          Networking with other information providers to get knowledge of business agriculture.

-          Sharing skills and knowledge on crop production and animal husbandry.

-          Engage in agriculture because of the benefits it has brought i.e. income to the family as well as food security.mr Ahebwa has been able to afford paying school fees for his 5 children, bought a motorcycle to coordinate his business and built a permanent house for his family. He has also cows that support his family with daily milk.Mrs leonida has afforded to provide Tuition  fees for her Daughter at University