Farmers urged to conserve, breed indigenous cattle with science to improve productivity as Ankole cattle Marathon is set for next Sunday.
Drake Nyamugabwa
Cattle farmers in Uganda have been advised to conserve the indigenous cattle for their enormous attributes by focusing on the commercial values including the Ankole Cattle, Nkoromojong, East Africa Zeb among others.
Experts have urged that in order to enhance productivity, there is need to commercially breed the cattle with available science without interfering with the genetic setup of the indigenous cattle.
While speaking at a fundraising dinner for the Ankole Cattle Marathon set for 29th January 2023 at Kololo, Kampala, the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon Bright Rwamirama pictured below (R) said that the country need to have a breeding program to look at the commercial benefits of the indigenous cattle to improve milk production and all other products which he said will be guided by Ugandan scientists without altering the genes.
“Indigenous cattle with science can increase productivity, we need to breed the cattle without contaminating the genes. The government will guide farmers technically so that breeders understand the economics and science of it” he said
He called upon farmers to come to Namulonge to tour the facility on how indigenous cattle under the program are competing under the same conditions
Robert Kabatereine the Chairman of the Network of Farmers Agrotech, said they are partnering with various stakeholders to organize the Ankole Cattle Marathon and Expo on 29th January 2023 with President Yoweri Museveni as the Chief Runner and champion of Ankole cattle.
While calling upon everyone to support the cause, he said that the marathon is envisaged to make the Ankole Cattle a global brand for social and economic transformation.
“Objectives of the Ankole Cattle Marathon is to promote Ankole cattle cultural heritage and tourism, promote cattle beef and dairy production and to create awareness on the business opportunities along the cattle value chain,” he said
He added tat the marathon will include 10 Kms for Athletes and 5 Kms for dignitaries and will attract participants from the government and stakeholders including Ministry of Agriculture, Tourism, Trade, Defense, Internal Affairs, agencies like NARO, NAADS, DDA, UWA among others.
Robert pictured 3rd (L-R) above, said that following the marathon, they will this year organize other events in Buganda Kingdom, Rwanda, South Africa in August, Kenya in June, and Tooro among others.
The Ankole cattle are from the Sanga cattle breed which is divided into different types and the Ankole is the Watusi cattle type. The Watusi cattle are named after the Tutsi tribe that is found in Rwanda. The Ankole Watusi cattle are sacred in the eyes of most African people and most people around do not use them for meat purposes although others do depending on the region that they come from.
The Ankole cattle above was reared by herdsmen who are believed to have come from Egypt with the Zebu cattle that originates from India and the cross breed brought about the sanga cattle family from which the Ankole cattle originates from. The sanga is reared in Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda although the original Sanga is still reared in the countries of Ghana and Zambezi.
In Uganda, The Ankole cattle are reared mainly in Western Uganda in the districts of Isingiro, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Mbarara and Kiruhura. The cattle mainly feeds on grass found in the vast lands and sometimes farmers give them supplements to add on their diet. The cows are majorly known for their long horns that rise up to eight feet from tip to tip. Others are reared in Karamoja, Busoga among others.
