Museveni Urges Busoga Farmers to Embrace Commercial Agriculture Through PDM

President Yoweri Museveni has called upon the residents of Buyende District to utilize funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM) to transition from subsistence farming to profitable enterprises. During a thanksgiving ceremony for Minister Milly Babirye Babalanda, the President emphasized that the Shs1 million provided to PDM beneficiaries is designed to help households enter the cash economy.

Mr. Museveni advised beneficiaries to select income-generating activities that align with their land availability. He specifically cautioned against engaging in enterprises that require large land areas if one has limited acreage. “If you want to do sugarcane, do it with medium- and large-scale people,” he stated, suggesting that smaller landholders should instead consider options such as poultry and piggery which can yield higher returns from smaller spaces.

The President also expressed strong reservations about rice cultivation, describing it as detrimental to the environment and offering minimal economic returns. “Rice is a big mistake. It spoils the environment and you get little from it,” he remarked.

This directive comes as the government actively expands the PDM, a key initiative aimed at boosting household incomes and commercializing agriculture. As of mid-September 2026, the program had reportedly reached over 3.5 million beneficiaries, with significant funds disbursed through local SACCOs. The PDM encompasses seven pillars, including production, financial inclusion, and mindset change, to foster economic transformation.

During the same event, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama urged the President to fulfill a pledge for a Shs1 billion fisheries fund for Busoga fishermen, highlighting the sector’s capital-intensive nature. Minister Babalanda also raised concerns for dairy farmers, requesting a milk collection truck and improved access to water for livestock.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)