The Rose Namayanja Foundation (RNF) is exploring opportunities to promote affordable and sustainable livestock production through collaboration with academic and agricultural research institutions, with a focus on practical innovations that can help farmers reduce production costs and improve household incomes.
The engagement included a visit to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) at Makerere University, where Rt. Hon. Rose Namayanja Nsereko interacted with the College leadership, technical teams, and representatives from Anaweza Nutrition Academy and the Animal Resources Research and Training Institute for Southern Africa (AFRISA).
During the visit, she toured demonstration farms showcasing Azolla cultivation, an approach being explored as a supplementary source of livestock feed. Azolla and other alternative feed resources offer potential opportunities for farmers to improve animal nutrition while reducing dependence on more expensive conventional feeds.
Discussions focused on how such innovations could be made accessible to farmers through practical demonstrations, hands-on training, and community-based learning centres. Particular attention was given to equipping farmers with the skills to cultivate, harvest, and appropriately use Azolla as a supplementary feed ingredient.
The engagement also explored opportunities to connect the expertise of universities and agricultural research institutions with farmers who need affordable, practical solutions to improve livestock productivity. Potential areas of collaboration included farmer training, feed quality management, applied agricultural research, and knowledge-sharing through agricultural extension structures.
The discussions further considered how these approaches could support farmers participating in the Parish Development Model (PDM), particularly those seeking to establish or strengthen livestock enterprises as a source of household income.
For the Rose Namayanja Foundation, access to practical knowledge and appropriate technologies is an important part of promoting sustainable livelihoods. By connecting farmers to research, training, and locally adaptable innovations, the Foundation seeks to support efforts that enable households to improve productivity, manage costs, and build more resilient sources of income.
The proposed collaboration with COVAB, Anaweza Nutrition Academy, and AFRISA presents an opportunity to bridge the gap between agricultural research and everyday farming practices. Through coordinated training and knowledge-sharing, the partners could help farmers understand and adopt suitable innovations based on their production needs and available resources.
The engagement reinforces the importance of partnerships in advancing agricultural skills, strengthening small-scale enterprises, and expanding economic opportunities for farming communities.
Through its focus on livelihoods and enterprise, the Rose Namayanja Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that equip communities with practical skills, promote self-reliance, and create opportunities for sustainable economic improvement.
