A country killing itself: the tale of Agriculture in Uganda.

The author is a start-up agripreneur in Uganda!

It is possible for Uganda to get out of poverty, just like many other countries have done. 

The gist of his thesis is that if we built infrastructure, provided information, technology, schools, health and credit to the people, poverty would be a thing of the past.

However, you may wonder why the poverty situation in Uganda remains the same even when the government has -in most part- provided the parameters i have mentioned!

On the whole, however, Uganda has no excuse to remain poor.  In fact Uganda can even do better than the Chinese, who moved 300 million people out of poverty within ten years.

The Ugandan Government considers agriculture as the cornerstone for socio-economic prosperity. Agriculture is placed at the helm of all national development blue prints; vision 2040 and the NRM government manifesto among others. There is established a “wealth Creation Department” within the government headed by Gen. Salim Saleh – just to give weight to this sector!

 With our state of economy, agriculture will for many years to come remain key to ensuring food and nutritional security for Ugandans, mostly small-scale farmers who draw a living from it. It is also a main propeller to our industrialization (as we await oil exploration and explitation) by virtue of being the principal wellspring of raw materials, thanks to the adoption of modern farming technologies. All these success stories about agriculture become more real only with favorable policy framework.

 Uganda, like many other countries, is faced with the challenge of increasing population and rising competition for agribusiness both in the regional and international arena. Meeting this would mean breeding a crop of young farmers who will in days to come fill the gaps left by aging farmers considering that the average age of a Ugandan farmer is 65 years. Basically, agriculture is practiced by pensioners! A retrospective follow up of these “young farmers” depicts the policy injustice that the Government is doing to this golden sector.

 Causal notification uncovers that the formal platforms, more so in the primary and secondary institutions, for the dissemination of farming techniques to the “hope of tomorrow” are either breaking down, inadequate or lacking trainees as a result of the emerging socio-economic challenges.

By nature, human beings will only pick what is perceived to be important. It may be a shock that agriculture education may no longer be a single entity subject in secondary schools, as it happened in primary school. This is imminent. There is a decline in the number of students taking agriculture in secondary schools, where it’s also an optional subject. Now is it really logical for a system to function without a spine?

 The negative discernment that agriculture does not compete equally in the job market could be one of the major reasons. The subject itself is downplayed by both parents and students, who by their gender and social upbringing opt for the ‘marketable subjects’. Agricultural programs in schools are stereotyped to be primarily for the males. How practical is it that a kid raised up in the city will pick up agriculture after school, which throughout their education has been an option? Their parents, who by default are the role models, do not practice agriculture.

 An ‘enterprising parent’ would rather use theirs plots available to establish a real estate rather than use it for agriculture. Those with interest lack the adequate exposure to the practical aspects of the subject, with teaching increasingly becoming superficial and exam oriented. Consequently, for a long time, there hasn’t been an effective way to integrate secondary agricultural education with most of the lucrative courses that are offered in the universities, which almost all the students are nowadays struggling to pursue.
As such, it would be more appropriate for guardians, educators, contrivers and policy makers to encourage agriculture education right from primary school.

 To develop self-dependence, problem-solving abilities and resourcefulness, learning agriculture will occupy students with activities that direct them to various agricultural ventures which may not exigently require high capital to head start, but significantly boost the economy. Agriculture can never flourish in isolation; increasing budgetary allocation for research may make it regain the lost glory.

I don’t think people in Europe got handouts in order for them to innovate and eliminate poverty. We would therefore greatly enhance this conversation by suggesting how we can create value in our people without paying them to be helped.

I have noted with gratitude that some of my readers make very constructive comments.  This form of crowd-sourced solution is what will lead to a sustainable solution, and I urge them to please let us continue thinking together.

Share this article to the corridors of power. All stake holders and law-makers need to support agriculture - it is the only way out of poverty for the multitudes.

Kenya: Food security still threatened

Large-scale controlled agriculture is a sure way to achieving food security

Thrilled by Zimbabwe government ( Zimbabwe: Metal Silos to Cut Post-Harvest Losses Unveiled) I had to reflect on what is happening here in Kenya. There are some very interesting plans though.....Example being the "Gala-Kulalu Food Project at the kenyan coast in which the government has set aside in the fiscal year 2014/15 USD 42 Millions to put 80,000 acres of land under irrigation....this is just but one part of the larger government plan to reach food security.

The government has indicated that Irrigation/technology is and will be the only bridge to the ever-increasing gap in food insecurity. According to the Office of the Deputy President and the Ministry of Agriculture, In the next 4 years, irrigation will ensure part of land that has over decades not be cultivable 500,000 acres will be put under maize, 200,000 under sugarcane, 150,000 acres under beef and game, horticulture, dairy farming and fruits will each take a share of 50,000 acres.

The plan is so noble that every Kenyan may now rest assured that there will never get a time we have such initiatives to help drought ravaged Kenyans in the North of the country like we had in 2011 dubbed "Kenyans 4 Kenyans". This, with conservative figures indicating that we would have lost about 3.75 Million Kenyans that year, thanks to the Kenyan spirit embraced then, driven by Safaricom and other corporate entities.

Back to the story of noble Kenyan government plans to see over 1,000,000 acres of land under irrigation, Post-harvest losses still dares the noble idea. One will be forgiven not to flash back to 2005. Then, under National Alliance for Rainbow Coalition (NARC) government, food security became number 1 priority. Here, even the driest of dry areas in Kenya (e.g.Makueni district in lower Eastern) soils bowed to heavy production but after the bumper harvest, most of the maize was declared unfit for human consumption due to high levels of aflatoxins. This was replicated in other areas like the Bura Irrigation scheme etc. from this past experience, Kenyan government should have put up succinctness measures like ensuring the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) moves with times putting in mind the projected annul grain requirement by 2020 to hit 5.2 Million tonnes.

IFC have in the last year convened seminars and workshops like the last one funded by Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) to discuss matters on how to revitalize the SGR. Thanks to such initiatives the government in the Fiscal year 2013/14 waived all taxes related to import of equipment and technologies for use in Post-Harvest losses reduction. This is done in a bid to encourage private participation in investing in this area.
 Although the treasury is yet to release guidelines on the same, it points out to the right direction already. Such initiatives should be encouraged and the government too should continue with the plan to build/increase/expand the current Food Holding Reserves all over the country. Wrangles and corruption almost crippled one of the National Cereals and Produce Board in the country and this in turn has led to most farmers quitting or reducing their production units.
time to re-focus!

Sorry babe, I need space!

What’s going on in a man’s mind when he says he needs “space”?

What necessitates the need for "space"?

So he needs space, is that code for “it’s over?”

Perhaps it’s simply a hot-and-cold act: when you give him space he comes back, and when you get too close, he goes and finds his space. 

This behavior can be very frustrating. What’s going on in his head? What should I do? Should you even put up with this kind of behaviour?

Sounds familliar? Ahem! Here is how to navigate the "I need-space-man syndrome":

YOU WERE NOT CLEAR
What went wrong here is that you failed to make clear what was acceptable behavior early on. In fact, by allowing your guy to stick around for as long as you did, you showed him just how much he could get away with.

Don’t blame anyone else but yourself.

SET PARAMETERS 
Men will adhere to the parameters that you set.

When men first get involved with a woman, they are constantly testing and finding out how much they can get away with. That means it’s entirely up to you to show them where the boundaries are.

It’s the same thing with men and their mothers. If a guy’s mother showers him with love and affection, and doesn’t ask anything in return, this is the dynamic the mother will set up for the rest of their relationship. Then the mother wonders why her useless son never helps out around the house or surprises her with gifts. It is because he knows that he can get away with that. He always has anyways!

You’ve allowed him to completely call the shots in your relationship; you let him choose whether it was on or off, and always allowed him to come back in when he wanted you back.

So very early on he learned that your boundaries could easily be compromised, without him having to actually go to the trouble of changing his indecisive ways when it came to commitment.

He’s learned that he can get away with it.

FIX IT DARLING

You have to make him feel that if he wants all the fun of being with you, he’ll have to commit fully.

You don’t have to get all angry and pissed-off with this. Gradually back off from him and make sure that you are very sparing with how much time you give him. 

However, for effect, ensure that the short times you spend together are incredible, and have as much fun as possible. That way he sees that if he wants to have that amazing time with you and be a significant part of your life he will have to commit more.

By not giving him much time, you show that you’re not willing to emotionally invest in someone who is only messing around with you.

 How you react to his behavior will guide how he defines his relationship with you. So start early.... but its never late to turn arround an otherwise sour relationship!

How it works: Accidents!

It is unfortunate that we have let society dictate that corruption has the final say on who is at fault when you are involved in an accident! That is not right and should not be the case.
This is how is works;

Dont rush to get out of your car

First, your car needs to be immobilised before you leave the controls. Otherwise, you may worsen the situation and increase your repair bill, something you auto insurance provider will not like. Secondly, you should be wary of gangsters who cause minor accidents in order to rob other motorists. The only exception to this rule is if there is another immediate danger such as an open fire or smoke coming from any of the cars involved in the accident.

Check if you are alright

Check for signs of blood, and for any pain that may indicate a fracture or soft tiytssue damage. If you have knocked your head, beware of a concussion. Any signs of dizziness mean that you need to get quick medical attention.

Put your hazard lights on

Before stepping out of your car, shut the engine, apply the handbrake and put on your hazard lights.

Make contact with the other driver

Realise that the other driver is also tense, and how you make contact will determine whether you end up with a shouting contest or an amicable solution. Whether you feel you are not to blame, do not spook the other driver. First, show concern for the driver and the safety of his passengers before talking about the car. If he needs urgent help, you are best placed to facilitate it. If you are the culprit, your third party cover from your motor insurance provider is meant for the benefit of other road users.

Place the Lifesaver on the Road

If the accident is serious and it is clear that the cars will be on the scene for a while, then place lifesavers on the road to warn oncoming drivers of the accident. Failure to warn oncoming drivers can lead to a compound accident. This will complicate how your motor insurance company handles the situation.

Assess the damage

Carry out a quick assessment of the damage to your car. Do not assume that because the impact took place at a low speed the damage on your car is minimal. Check for cracks on lights, dents and any leaks coming from your car. If the damage is minor, and you think there’s no need to involve your motor insurance provider, negotiate with the other person and if you agree, let it rest.

Call the Police

If the situation is beyond what you can handle, call the nearest police officer. The police officer will assess the damage and will determine who is at fault. Do not move your car before the police officer arrives, and get in touch with your insurance agent for further advice on what to do. It may be helpful to take photos of the accident scene before the cars move. Scan the general area to confirm that it is safe for you to wait there.

Report the incident to Your Motor Insurance provider

Once you have all the information you need from the scene, report the incident formally to your motor insurance provider. Based on their assessment, a decision will be taken on whether you can drive to the nearest authorized garage, or whether you will need a tow truck to move the car. The insurance company will also send an assessor to determine the value of damage to your car.

Fill a Motor Claim Form

This form is your formal application to the insurance company to settle your claims based on your policy. The insurance company considers your application and set in motion the process of compensating you. After you have filled the motor claim form, you send it back with required attachments such as a copy of the motor claim form, a police abstract, and a copy of your driver’s license. If in the assessment of the insurance company your car is damaged beyond repair, then the insurance company will write it off, and pay the claim. Otherwise, it will issue the authority to repair the car if the value of the damage is less than 50% of the insured sum.

What insurance company will need

Drivers License Details

Always remember to collect the driver’s license details of the other driver when you are involved in a car accident. One of the things every auto insurance company wants to be certain about is that every claim they handle result from legal usage of motor vehicles. In this regard, they like to be sure that the drivers were both legally on the road. Apart from that, it is important to have personally identifiable data from the other driver to facilitate the claims process.

Insurance Policy Details

Write down the policy details on the other car’s insurance cover. If the other driver is on the wrong, his insurance company should compensate you for the accident. In this regard, your auto insurance company will need the policy details to process the claim from the other insurance company. Getting this policy number and the insurance company that issued it also adds another layer of information that can help to identify the car in case of any eventualities.

Service Number of Police Officer

Also get the service number of the police officer that comes assess the accident. Each policeman has a service number usually pinned on the lapel of the jacket or on the shirt pocket. This serves to prove that the matter was reported to the authorities and blame was assigned based on this. This number, alongside an incident report should be linked to the base station where the traffic police officers operates. Getting the details right makes the claims process easier for you.

Vehicle Registration Number

Don’t forget to note the registration number of the vehicles involved in the accident. This number can be used to trace a hit and run car. In many cases, it is the only information you can get from a car that refuses to stop after getting an accident.

Social networking: How to do it effectively!

“If it wasn’t for effective networking, I probably wouldn’t have started my business venture; neither would I have prospered,” I hold this statement true and important to me and mine.

In essence, networking is interacting with people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s career and business referrals.

The world is not an island, you cannot have a thriving career or business without the help of others, which is where networking comes into place.

Do you know the impact that effective networking has on your career development? here is how to do it effectively;

1. Always be ready to network

Networking sessions shouldn’t be confined to arranged business meetings only, it can even be by the roadside as you wait for a cab, or as you catch a bus home.

Being mentally ready of the unseen opportunities surrounding all of us, one can meet their next big help. “Never assume the cab driver or the watchman, he could know someone who needs the type of service or the kind of qualifications that you have.”

2. Invest in your looks

Whoever you are and whatever you do, ensure you look the part. Ensure that whenever you go into a business meeting or a place you expect to meet people you make a good impression by dressing the part. Therefore, wear a good suit if the meeting is formal.

3. Always have your business cards

A business card says who you are, what you do and how you can be contacted. You may make a very good impression on people you meet during networking sessions, but if you’ve got no business cards, then you might become easily forgettable.

“A business card is especially essential when it comes to making the first communication after the initial meeting. This is because it mostly contains an email address which is the right way of contacting someone for the first time. On that note, do not call or WhatsApp a person you intend to pursue a professional relationship with at first, preferably, email them, unless they request you to call them,”

4. Don’t wait too long to contact them

How long should you take to contact a person you met through a networking session?
 “During the first 48 hours, after that, it communicates the message that, that person was not all that important. On the other hand, the person might have even forgotten you. To ensure you create a lasting impression, make the initial contact as soon as possible.”

5. Polish up your social media accounts

The easiest way of networking these days is through social media. Social media has made people who are in real life inaccessible, accessible. Therefore, if you are eyeing to establish a professional relationship with someone online, ensure your various profiles speak for you.

“The best way of doing this is ensuring you separate you accounts. For instance, if you choose Twitter and LinkedIn as platforms where you promote your brand – as an accountant, a journalist or a techie- ensure someone can see your passion in your field by scrolling through your profile. You can use other platforms, preferably using a different name, to show a different side of you.”

Kenya is not autocratic!

For you to be a celeb, do something weird and make sure the media is invited!

I have witnessed what we as a nation can do during adversity and as recently depicted by our politicians while serving as guest of the state. Then all the TV stations were talking about the Fish/Osuga that reunited them all! They are now celebs called "The Pangani Six"!

Now I turn the television to CNN and get trump with his usual bantering and abusing of everybody he does not like, a more forceful character reminding me of our own Moses Kuria.

Meanwhile Hillary of the Clinton's is making history and charming the big and mighty of the Land of opportunities! I think the gods and history are on her side, America is ready for a woman president.....but anything is no surprise in the kand of Obama!

I reflect back at the post election violence, the ICC cases, the massive corruption and all the government excesses, tribalism, nepotism,not to mention IEBC crinkum-crankum,then look at this politicians continuously politicking and as law abiding tax paying citizen start to wonder.Did we all migrate to some parallel dimension or have we won a lottery thus in cloud nine?

I find it weird that Kenyans are very forgetful almost like Lot's wife in the bible and are living in Sodom and Gomorrah nicknamed the garden of aden or better still Paradiso!!

Then it probes my mind into looking at the word democracy-*a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives*, its fascinating and does not reflect  our African nature.

As I continue my scan through news channels I and I, whatever that means, land on BBC and the British are doing their thing; call it Brexit or Bremin, sometimes its shocking the level of freedom these people have to chat their destiny, but deep down, yours truly know they have had their own struggles.

Then it pushes my mind into looking at the word autocracy-*a system of government by one person with absolute power*, and kaboom! I finally found home! We Africans cherish this system of government, so I ask my self why can't we have the same in Kenya? But then again am reminded of our progress and hope of reaching the middle class economy and I chillax!

I see what the Arabian gulf and Asian tigers are doing and am left with egg on my face. To imagine that 40 years ago these countries' GDP could not come close to Kenya's, is traumatizing to say the least. The transformation that they have had can best be described as a miracle. Or could we be dreaming? If so please wake me up, I want to taste if not see the reality.

A friend of mine in the middle of a story as we discussed politics which we tend to do very often indicated that we could be practicing as Kenya a system of plutocracy*government by the wealthy* and to some extent it looks more like it.

Imagine a Kenya where we do elections once in ten years, I long for such a Kenya. I see the way people get exhausted every five years after an election with the pettiness , tribalism , nepotism, corruption, electoral incompetence and malpractice. I honestly think as a nation we have way more important things than to politic every given chance. Its like everyday is a political rally day!

Judiciary in turmoil, everyone suing everyone, affidavits pon affidavits changing hands in the corridors of the judiciary! It will soon be difficult to present your case in court, but that's what make us unique, we are Kenyan like that. The land of Victor Wanyama and rugby sevens! We are the people who lent our son to the Americas! Human trafficking is real!

We demand respect from our leaders, we elected them to preserve and protect our sanctity, not demonstrate our barbarism in public.

A ten year one term presidential system of government will enable the holder of the office have humble time to implement his/her manifesto without constant guilt of time constraints and free of political interference or sideshows.
#Myfrustratedthoughts

Budgeting on debt?

Borrowing to pay debt is stupid!

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich’s 2016/17 Budget was, without doubt, a difficult balancing act between production and consumption. It can be summed up as a mix-and-match one – best defined as confusing, at least from the consumer perspective.

With less clarity on the well-intentioned objectives and targets, especially as weighed against an unconvincing ministry and agency allocations, it is no secret that the budget has a weak centre and linkage threads.

Ultimately, this implies that the budgetary allocations and spending priorities are not in consonance with budget objectives. Why? As a statement of government receipts and expenditures, Treasury has remained long on politically-correct expenditures while paying little or no attention on receipts and or cutting non-priority expenditures.

Indeed it is not obvious for a keen observer to see potential rapid and balanced economic growth, social justice and equality objectives within Mr Rotich’s budget. What is clear, however, is that it remains a ‘budget on debt’. That debt is not just about ordinary domestic and external borrowing. It is about the low impact, if any, of what previous ‘production-based’ budgets were able to offer in terms of tax relief.

As a country engulfed in huge debt (more than Sh3 trillion), declining foreign direct investments, surging unemployment rates and a pervading sense of hopelessness amongst the youth– failing to align the appropriations with public priority needs is a recipe for a financial meltdown.

Treasury has previously argued that today’s higher consumer taxes will enhance tomorrow’s productivity. It then followed that nearly all consumer foodstuffs, commodities and other key services became heavily taxed. Three years later, the government’s talk on austerity measures has remained just but that. Huge wastage remains the norm rather than the exception.

That Rotich has been the lucky and an un-interrupted occupant of the 14th floor Treasury Building corner office; it is time for Kenyans to ask salient questions. Has his economic growth vision fallen on its’ head or could he be a victim of bad politics? Whichever the answer, the ordinary Kenyan is feeling severe pinch from the high consumer prices whose net effect will be a shrinking spending power. Such an eventuality is a bad omen.

To claim, for instance, that higher taxes on the pro-poor and mass market product like kerosene would lower fuel adulteration is openly deceptive if not plain misleading. Truth is that government regulators, in this case the Energy Regulatory Commission, have the mandate and budget to address such challenges. To punish the consumer for sins of omission and or commission of a regulatory agency is not persuasive.

This question begs the rationale in which regulatory agencies like the Commission on Higher Education, National Environment Management Authority and National Construction have a leeway in imposing and adjusting regulatory fees. On this, it is fair to commend Treasury for singling out a few agencies. But it ought to be a policy across board that regulatory agencies’ fees ought to be subject to Parliamentary approval.

All said and done, Treasury’s move to hinge its budget on debt is akin to living outside its means. Living off public debt is the thrust of the budgetary quagmire the country finds itself. Again, adjusting taxes for excisable goods and services triggers a general rise in pricing. Subsequent inflation pushes up the cost of credit even higher.

This reality is made worse by the obvious domestic borrowing which is poised to address the various financing gaps. Banks will, as usual, make terms difficult for “Wanjiku” borrowers as they lay in wait to lend the risk-free government at higher rates. What is worrying is that many government ‘funds’ running into hundreds of billions are kept in the same banks, which would have been restricted to government-owned ones in the hope that they would reciprocate, by lending at a cheaper rate.

Putting higher tax premium on like motorcycles, food supplements, fuel, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages and cosmetics used by majority of the population, is a clear move to push up the cost of living.

The Jubilee administration pledge to lower the cost of living is far from being realised. With clear projections of higher cost of food, energy, transport and lower employment opportunities, Kenyans must brace for tough times ahead.

Considering that 2017 will be an election year, many investors are expected to hold back their investments. That way, market forces of supply and demand will not work in favour of the consumer. What is more, previous attempts to stem high level corruption in government are yet to bear fruits. Huge allocations to government agencies continue run into waste.