One aspect of the CSRL work in Uganda is to provide food security and financial stability by raising livestock.  Livestock, especially pigs, goats and chickens are usually raised by women and hence help provide income and food for the family. Many women are quite successful and are able to sell a pig or two or a goat and get money to pay for school uniforms and school fees for their children.  Eggs are used to supplement their family’s diet and provide a good source of protein.  Much of the livestock work is supported by individual donors and grants.

Merida Kaitamirike's Story
   Merida Kitamirike is a member of Biribawa farmers group, living at Naluwoli village in Butansi Sub county, Kamuli district of Uganda. She is one of the over 100 VEDCO livestock development project beneficiaries funded by a grant to ISU CSRL and VEDCO.  The project provided 130 piglets for 65 farmer and 40 boar goats for 35 goat farmers. Additional funding from individuals donors has also helped more farmers.

   After she completed training in pig Husbandry and Health Management with
VEDCO staff, Kitamirike was given two piglets -- one gilt and one boar -- in June 2009.  Since then, Kitamirike has managed her piggery very well and has been able to produce and sell pigs to raise money for her family.

   In addition, she also has managed to afford medical care for her husband who has been bed ridden for about a year now. In addition, she has been able to pool financial resources from sales of finishing pigs and some of the crops harvested like passion fruits, to begin construction of a new house. Kitamirike makes compost from pig manure and crop residue and applies it in her gardens as fertilizer to increase yields. These techniques of working and raising crops and animals in a systems type approach has been very productive.

• CSRL laid the groundwork with VEDCO and Makerere University to provide livestock production opportunities for about 50 families and develop livestock programs in two primary schools.
• Continued working with program farmers and two primary schools in Kamuli District supported by a grant received from The Monsanto Fund to place livestock in the hands of 100 farmers over two years.
• Placed pigs on 35 farms and goats on 20 farms.
• Built and stocked livestock structures for 45 other farms.
• Continued training program farmers to improve their ability to manage a sustainable and profitable livestock operation.
• A variety of individual and corporate donors continued their generous support for the Livestock Program
• The two year project with Monsanto ended this year. In addition to the original 100 farmers that were served and supported through the school gardens projects, an additional 13 farmers were served. More than 3,000 people were helped with this project.