My name is Musimenta Edmand and I am a 3rd year student at Busitema University, pursuing a Bachelor degree in Animal Production and Management.

Like any other hopeful student pursing my career, it has not been an easy feat to go through the long unpredictable lockdown, ever since education institutions were closed instantly by the Government of Uganda as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19. As a result, I thought hard and decided to take advantage of this break to venture into production, transforming the theoretical knowledge that I have acquired in school into practical work.

As a result of my passion in agriculture, I started a small piggery farm rearing genetically improved breeds namely, combrough and large white under two systems of production – Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO) System and a concrete floor zero grazing unit being occupied by eight pigs. I have also raised up 10 turkeys, the most marketable birds in Eastern Uganda which I am keeping both indoors and on a free range system.

As a way of giving back to the community, I have been volunteering at the University farm especially the animal section, where I have been brooding and managing over 500 chicks as well as taking part in other farm animal management practices like treating and vaccination in addition to engagement in agricultural extension work in the neighborhood, helping farmers in treating their animals and giving management advisory services.

If I got financial support or a loan, I would start a poultry unit of 300 broilers since I already have space. I too would like to engage in a tomato and watermelon project since the University has already offered me two acres of land for use. This decision is informed by the high demand of vegetables and fruits in the society as people are becoming nutritionally conscious.