Otuke, Uganda | A group of church lay leaders in Otuke District has turned to practical agricultural training at the Barlegi Presidential Demonstration Farm as part of efforts to promote modern farming practices and improve livelihoods in their communities.
The 14 lay readers from Orum Parish, led by Rev. Ven. Capt. Apollo Owikene, visited the farm on Saturday to learn improved agricultural techniques that they intend to share with farmers across the area.
Located in Okwang Sub-county, the farm was established in 2018 under an initiative of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to demonstrate the four-acre farming model, which integrates food crops, fruit trees and livestock to promote food security and commercial agriculture.
The facility hosts several enterprises including bananas, coffee, dairy cattle, vegetables, citrus fruits, mangoes and pineapples, serving as a practical learning site for farmers seeking to improve productivity.
Francis Abolomobene, the farm manager, said the demonstration site is open to community groups, farmers and institutions interested in learning modern farming methods.
“This farm is meant to equip farmers with practical skills that they can replicate in their homes to improve production and household incomes,” he said.
Rev. Owikene said the visit was aimed at equipping lay leaders with knowledge they can pass on to their congregations and communities.
“We want to use the church platform to encourage people to adopt modern farming practices because agriculture remains the backbone of our livelihoods,” he said.
James Angura, a lay reader at St Paul’s Church in Orum, said the visit had inspired him to introduce banana farming projects within his community.
Another participant, John Bosco Otuda, said the experience had changed perceptions about the farm, noting that many people had previously believed it was inaccessible to ordinary residents.
“We were warmly welcomed and guided through the different enterprises. What we have learned here can help families improve incomes and meet basic needs such as school fees and medical care,” he said.
The delegation also visited Abeja Development Foundation Ltd, an agricultural initiative owned by Susan Abeja Okello in Barjobi Sub-county.
Abeja encouraged farmers to embrace high-value crops such as coffee and bananas, challenging claims that the crops cannot thrive in Otuke.
She said successful gardens in the district demonstrate that with proper management and improved practices, farmers can achieve good yields and improve their incomes.
