GIS

The wide application of spatial technologies in disciplines ranging from natural resource management, environmental impact assessment, physical land use planning, modelling of spatial processes, epidemiology, business network analysis to socio – economic service delivery. The relevance of spatial technologies of which Geographical Information System (GIS) is one, to many different disciplines and professionals stems from the fact that all activities, human or natural, tack place across geographical space and over time. Consequently, the spatial information generated using spatial technologies is relevant for decisions made by a variety of decision and policy makers in government, NGOs e.g. Save the children in Uganda and JOBS and many corporate firms.

In the GIS training we were expected to come up with a map of Nakasongola District showing its boundaries, water bodies (rivers and lakes), roads (main road and feeder roads), locate all boreholes, trading centres which were to help in the marketing of the products, Agricultural fields which were taken as polygons.

presentation of the prototypes to the farmers

students talking to farmers about the prototypes

prototypes presented

TWEKAMBE KILYAMASANSA WOMEN’S GROUP

INTRODUCTION

Twekambe Kilyamasansa Women’s Group is a farmer’s group in Nakasongola district consisting of up to 25 members; ironically, having more men than women. The farmer group is located over 30 kilometers from Nakasongola town, about a 40 minutes ride.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING

The meeting was carried out to do a fact finding study on the raw materials available to the farmers that would enable product development as is the overall purpose of the project. The meeting was also intended to acquaint ourselves with the farmer group members.

CROPS GROWN BY FARMERS

· Cassava

· Maize

· Ground nuts

· Millet

· Sorghum

· Sweet potatoes

· Mangoes

ANIMALS RAISED BY FARMERS

· Pigs

· Cattle

DIFFICULTIES FACED DURING FARMING

For the raising of animals the major problem is water shortage due to prolonged droughts.

For the crops, the main difficulties are poor storage facilities, poor or no processing technologies for value addition.

DESIRED PRODUCTS FARMERS

· Packed honey

· Composite flour

· Peanut butter

· Baked products

· Packed mango juice

· Chicken feed

PRIICE OF FARM PRODUUCTS

Farm products are hardly altered and end up being sold as they are harvested. Their prices are mentioned below

· Ground nuts - USH 3,000 per kg

· Maize - USH 1,000 per kg

· Cassava - USH 1,000 per kg

· Sorghum - USH 800 per kg

OBSERVATONS

· The group members are skeptical about the success of the project

· The nearest safe water source is about 2-3 miles away

· The nearest available market is about 3-5 miles away.

MUNAKU KAAMA MIXED GROUP

INTRODUCTION

Munaku Kaama mixed group is a farmer group in Nakasongola district consisting of at least 30 members. The group is located in Katugo about 30 kilometers from Save the Children offices, about half an hour’s sub county ride.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETNG

The meeting was carried out to do a fact finding study on the raw materials available to the farmers that would enable product development as is the overall purpose of the project. The meeting was also intended to acquaint ourselves with the farmer group members.

CROPS GROWN BY THE FARMER GROUP

· Ground nuts

· Cassava

· Maize

· Mangoes

Farmers also look after bees and some raise cattle.

VALUE ADDITION TECHNOLOGIES IN PLACE

At the moment, farmers do not have significant value addition techniques in place and sell off almost all of their farm produce in the same form as it leaves the farm. The honey obtained from the bees is cleaned and sold off though in relatively small quantities considering the lack of proper packaging material.

PROBLEMS FACED BY FARMERS AFTER HARVEST

Farmers face a problem of surplus and lack of storage facilities after harvest. This forces them to sell off their produce at low prices.

DESIRED PRODUCTS

Farmers of Munaku Kaama would like to start a business in peanut making and selling also packaging and selling honey.

PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS

Ground nuts

• USH 7,000 per 1 basin

• USH 3,000 per kg

OBSERVATIONS

· The water source is a bore hole and is about 300-500 meters away from the point of the meeting

· The group is relatively organized and extremely expectant

· Nearest available market is about 10 -15 kilometers away from the village of production.