Learners (Student) experience books

Service-Learning Experiences

Students Experience at MUARIK

FIELD EXPERIENCES IN FIGHTING SAFARI ANTS:

Compiled by:-

1.	Katende Isaac

2.	Wasswa Samuel

3.	Ngonzi Oliver

4.	Karungi Pamella

Instructor: Associate Professor. Moses Tenywa Director Makerere University Agriculture Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK)

Use of paraffin:  In this method, paraffin is mixed with water and sprinkled where the safari ants are.

Use of urine: Get urine and sprinkle where the safari ants are.

Use of Mari gold: This is a plat with a great strong smell. That if one gets its leaves and broadcast them where the safari ants are so, the strong smell can force them to go away.

Chemicals: like diazone, Ambush super, rocket can also be mixed with water and sprayed around the place where the safari ants are.

Use of dry banana leaves: Here they can be used for burning around the place where the safari ants are and even the hatching centres.

Use of biological method: In this poultry birds can be used like hens, cocks to eat the safari ants physically.

Use of hot water: where by water is thoroughly boiled and thereafter sprinkled on the safari ants.

use of ash: This is where ash is got and then poured on the ants following their way.

Use of sticks: Get a stick and start beating the safari ants physically following their line.

Safari ants are always seen as an indicator of change of seasons, from the dry to the rainy season.

POULTRY KEEPERS AND CONSULTANTS FARM

BACKGROUND

After the death of our father, we started keeping poultry birds in 2002 so as to sustain our family. We started with 150 birds as of now, we have 12000 birds. A day, we can collect 338 trays of eggs, a month 10140 trays.

COLLECTIVE ACTION / TEAM WORK

Mubiru Livingstone 	Chairman

Namutebi Harriet	Secretary

Mrs. Joyce Kizito	Treasurer

Kijjambu Robert	Transport & Sales Manager

Mutebi Samuel	Administrative Assistant

CHAMPION

The presence of our mother created a situation of togetherness that has enabled us to go ahead and work as a team. The chairman and the Sales Manager have also put in more effort to see to it that the farm is progressing.

CAPACITY BUILDING

To a threat of diseases and poor management, the family managed to take two members to a veterinary school (Ssese Farm School) in order to acquire knowledge and skills on how to care and treat the birds whenever need arises.

We have consulted other good farmers and acquired more knowledge on how to cater for the birds and they have helped us in so many ways.

We have, also encouraged people within our village to engage in this business. This helped us to supply the required quantity on the market.

GUIDELINES/MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

We have a well stipulated constitution which guides us in the running of the farm. This has helped us to vividly follow our constitution and work plan.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

In order to resolve conflicts among ourselves, we conduct regular meetings, that is every first Sunday of the month, such that problems are solved amicably. We are lucky that such conflicts have never arisen. So we use such time to redesign our work to an acceptable position.

SUSTAINABILITY

	The good attitude of all the family members towards the business has helped the farm to prosper.

	The availability of market both in Uganda and outside the country has helped to consume the farm’s outputs.

	The presence of trust worthy suppliers of quality chicks for example Ugachick.

	The availability of abundant labour which performs a recommendable job.

CHALLENGES

	 The dirty waters in our area have made the birds to be diseased every time. In this case, a bore hole can be of help to the project.

	The absence of electricity has made more birds to die when they are still in the brooder. Here, solar power can avert this situation.

	The poor roads with pot holes have made the transportation of eggs a problem.

	The inadequate funds which has deprived us from operating on large scale

	The expensive feeds and drugs have lowered the proceeds we get from the project.

	We lack a food mixer to ease the feed mixing process.

	Transporting farm inputs and outputs is still a very big challenge as we depend on private hired vehicles that at time are undependable. The farm badly needs a truck to avert the above challenge.

	The price fluctuation problem has hindered on the farms’ output. At times it operates on a total loss.

PARTNERS:

	Sellers of inputs:

	Feeds and drugs are bought from Kampala city and are transported to the farm.

	Transporters

	We hire private vehicles to transport the inputs (feeds, drugs) and the output (eggs)

	Extension workers

	We have not yet received any extension worker to advance us with required advice. We zero on our acquired skills and at times we hire services of private veterinary doctors.

	Buyers (market)

	Buyers of our products are from the country and outside Uganda. These countries include Kenya, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo among others.

	Researchers:

	We have received many researchers from non-government organization like the NAADS.

THREATS:

As mentioned earlier the persistent increasing prices of farm inputs, consumes a very big portion of our savings. This hinders the farm’s progress.

The poor attitude of some neighbouring people who have resorted to poisoning the waters that we use to feed our birds.

INNOVATION (LOCAL KNOWLEDGE):

We have managed to find local ways  of how to overcome some fatal diseases more so GAMBORO disease whenever it threatens.

-In case of the outbreak of the Gambaro disease; we confine the birds in a well enclosed unit, with little air circulation. We introduce the heat source to warm the birds to avoid respiratory problems.

-We also mix sugar into their drinking water in order to regain energy

Previously, the use of the above has yielded golden results.

If more technical advice and resources are rendered to us, our farm will move to better heights.

Compiled by,

Mutebi Samuel

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

TEL: 0751945397

Email: s.mutebi@yahoo.com

EXPERIENCES OF BSc.AGRIC IN THE DIFFERENT FARM UNITS FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR WEEKS

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