Greater Masaka Farmers Reap Big From PDM As Incomes & Production Rise

By Swift Reporter

The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) Coordinator for Greater Masaka, Ms. Hellen Nakeeya, has commended beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Kalungu District after a monitoring and evaluation tour revealed significant improvements in household incomes, agricultural productivity, and community welfare.

During her visit to various PDM-supported enterprises in Lukaya Town Council, Nakeeya witnessed firsthand how beneficiaries have utilized government funding to expand their businesses, create employment opportunities, and improve their livelihoods.

One of the beneficiaries visited was Nassuna Prossy, a member of Friends at Heart Group in Kirinya Village, Kaliiro Parish, Lukaya Town Council. Prossy, who supports a household of 13 people, received Shs1 million under PDM in 2024 and invested the funds in poultry farming.

Before receiving PDM support, she owned 100 chickens and earned approximately Shs600,000 in profit. Using the funds, she purchased an additional 200 chicks and has since expanded her flock to 400 birds. Her profits have increased to about Shs1 million every three months, while she now saves Shs350,000 monthly. Prossy revealed plans to construct a modern poultry house and further expand her poultry enterprise.

Nakeeya also visited Kiberu Hadijjah of Friends at Heart Group in Kakooza Cell, Kaliiro Parish. Hadijjah, who supports a household of three, received Shs1 million through PDM in 2025 and invested in poultry farming. She increased her stock from 200 to 400 chickens and raised her monthly profits from Shs150,000 to Shs200,000.

She has also diversified her operations by growing feed crops in her garden, reducing the cost of purchasing chicken feed. In addition, members of the community benefit from manure supplied from her poultry project.

Another notable success story is that of Ssentongo Edward from Central Ward Farmers Group in Juma Cell, Lukaya Town Council. Edward, who supports a family of 12, received Shs1 million under PDM in 2025.

Prior to receiving the funds, he owned five pigs. He invested in acquiring a high-quality breeding pig and has since expanded his stock to 12 pigs. The manure generated from the piggery has significantly improved his coffee production, increasing his harvest from four sacks of dry coffee to six sacks.

Edward has also ventured into orange growing and expanded his coffee plantation. Through the adoption of artificial insemination technologies, he has improved the quality of his pig breeds. Currently, three of his pigs are pregnant, and he expects each to produce between 10 and 15 piglets, potentially increasing his stock by more than 30 pigs within the next four months.

His monthly profits have risen from Shs200,000 to Shs300,000, with projections of reaching Shs1 million in the coming months. Inspired by his success, Edward has mobilized fellow community members into a farming group that is already undertaking collective agricultural projects.

The monitoring team also met Mirembe Hadijjah, a 42-year-old member of Friends at Heart Group in Kawanda, Juma Cell, Central Ward, Lukaya Town Council. Supporting a household of 15 people, she received Shs1 million through PDM in 2025 and invested in poultry farming.

Before receiving the funds, she owned 50 chickens. She expanded her flock by purchasing an additional 100 birds and now manages approximately 200 chickens. Her monthly profits have increased from Shs150,000 to Shs400,000.

The increased income has enabled her to purchase land for farming, pay school fees for her children, and support two orphaned children with educational expenses. Her poultry enterprise also supplies eggs, chickens, and manure to members of the surrounding community.

Meanwhile, Nalusweeta Prossy, 53, a member of Bukozi Manyi Poultry Group in Agip Cell, Lukaya Town Council, also shared her success story. Supporting a household of four, she received Shs1 million under PDM in 2024.

Before joining the program, she operated a small retail shop and kept 100 chickens. Following the PDM intervention, she expanded her flock by an additional 100 birds and now manages approximately 300 chickens. Her monthly profits doubled from Shs100,000 to Shs200,000.

The increased earnings enabled her to install a water tap and acquire a motorcycle to facilitate transportation to and from her farm. She also supports orphaned children by contributing to their education, while local residents benefit from manure produced on her farm.

Speaking after the tour, Ms. Nakeeya said the success stories demonstrate the transformative impact of the Parish Development Model in uplifting households and promoting wealth creation at the grassroots level.

She encouraged beneficiaries to continue investing wisely, embrace modern farming practices, and strengthen savings culture to ensure sustainable growth and long-term economic empowerment.

The monitoring exercise forms part of ONC’s ongoing efforts to assess the implementation of government poverty alleviation programs and ensure that PDM funds are effectively utilized to improve the livelihoods of ordinary Ugandans.