agriculture 16 August 2026 Howwe Entertainment
Finance Ministry Boosts NAGRC's Livestock Production for PDM Farmers
The Ministry of Finance is increasing its support for the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) to significantly expand the production of improved livestock breeds for beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM). This initiative aims to enhance household incomes and transition Ugandan farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture. Source: https://www.howwe.ug/news/national/43491/finance-ministry-to-increase-support-for-nagrcs-production-of-pdm-dairy-heifers-piglets-goats-and-poultry
The Ministry of Finance is set to bolster the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) with increased funding. This support is crucial for scaling up the production and distribution of high-quality dairy heifers, piglets, goats, and poultry chicks to farmers participating in the Parish Development Model (PDM).
This strategic move is designed to empower smallholder farmers by providing them with superior animal genetics, a key component of the government’s strategy to transform subsistence farming into a commercial enterprise. NAGRC&DB’s priorities for the upcoming financial year heavily emphasize improving access to better breeds, boosting livestock productivity, and expanding localized breeding programs.
During a recent strategic retreat, NAGRC&DB’s leadership reviewed plans anchored in the National Animal Breeding Strategy. This strategy aims to commercialize animal breeding, enhance livestock output, and preserve Uganda’s diverse indigenous genetic resources across various agricultural value chains.
Increased investment will enable NAGRC&DB to make improved genetics more accessible. The agency plans to expand its breeding infrastructure and increase the supply of livestock, ensuring that farmers of all scales can benefit from genetically superior animals.
The Kasolwe Stock Farm is slated to play a pivotal role in this expansion, focusing on breeding, feed production, and the multiplication of improved breeds like the drought-tolerant Kasolwe Brown goat. Additionally, NAGRC&DB has distributed hundreds of thousands of improved poultry chicks and thousands of pigs and goats in regions like Busoga, significantly improving the productivity of local flocks and herds.
The initiative also includes enhancing artificial insemination services and developing animal feed production to support the growing number of improved livestock. Particular attention is being paid to ensuring that women, youth, and persons with disabilities can actively participate and benefit from commercial livestock farming, thereby strengthening household economies and contributing to Uganda’s agricultural GDP.