President Museveni Eyes Law to Restrict Smallholders from Growing Maize, Sugarcane

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has revealed that President Yoweri Museveni intends to introduce legislation restricting smallholder farmers from growing certain crops. The proposed law would specifically target individuals farming on less than four acres, barring them from cultivating sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, and maize.

Nabbanja made these remarks during a training session for local leaders in Kakumiro District, focusing on wealth creation and poverty reduction. She explained that the rationale behind this directive is to encourage farmers with limited land to concentrate on enterprises that yield higher returns.

The President’s vision aligns with his long-standing “Four-Acre Model,” which advocates for intensive agriculture on smaller plots. This model promotes high-value crops and livestock such as coffee, poultry, piggery, dairy farming, and fruit cultivation.

According to Nabbanja, crops like cotton, tobacco, sugarcane, and maize are better suited for farmers with larger landholdings, as they require extensive cultivation to be profitable. The government’s agricultural strategy, as outlined in the NRM’s 2026-2031 manifesto, acknowledges the importance of these crops but suggests they should be grown on larger farms, while smallholders pivot to more lucrative options.

Nabbanja is actively engaging local leaders to support this shift towards commercial agriculture. She also urged leaders to protect and preserve land as a valuable asset rather than selling it.

This directive is part of a broader government effort to transition households from subsistence farming to more commercially viable agricultural practices.

Source: Nile Post