Three groups have teamed up to help young farmers fight climate change with better chicken farming methods. NARO, Gudie Leisure Farm, and the University of Burundi trained 30 young business owners at a recent boot camp. They learned about using water plants like Azolla and insects as cheap feed options for their chickens.
"We want these youth to create bigger communities around them," said Dr. Barbara Zawedde from NARO. The project targets people under 35 who already run chicken businesses in Uganda and Burundi. Each participant must teach at least 50 more people back home what they learned.
Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza explained they also cover housing that needs little space but lets air flow through. Farmers can turn used chicken bedding into cooking fuel and use local plants as medicine. These methods cut costs and help the environment at the same time.
The program fits with Uganda's plans to reduce youth unemployment through smart farming. "We do research for the community, not just for books," said Venant Nyandwi from the University of Burundi. The groups hope this small start grows into something much larger.
"We want these youth to create bigger communities around them," said Dr. Barbara Zawedde from NARO. The project targets people under 35 who already run chicken businesses in Uganda and Burundi. Each participant must teach at least 50 more people back home what they learned.
Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza explained they also cover housing that needs little space but lets air flow through. Farmers can turn used chicken bedding into cooking fuel and use local plants as medicine. These methods cut costs and help the environment at the same time.
The program fits with Uganda's plans to reduce youth unemployment through smart farming. "We do research for the community, not just for books," said Venant Nyandwi from the University of Burundi. The groups hope this small start grows into something much larger.
