NAGRC&DB Enhances Agricultural Education at the Gayaza High School Camp
For nearly a decade, the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) has been a dedicated partner in advancing agricultural education at Gayaza High School. Since the inception of the school’s Annual School Farm Camp, NAGRC&DB has supported various initiatives to enhance the school’s agricultural programs.
Our partnership began with a series of transformative projects aimed at improving the school’s dairy section. These included a comprehensive overhaul of the milking area and storage facilities, the establishment of nutrient-rich pastures for silage and hay production, and the rehabilitation of the school’s biogas plant. These efforts have been instrumental in creating a sustainable agricultural learning environment for students.
In 2014, NAGRC&DB further demonstrated its commitment by donating 10 high-quality dairy crossbreeds to Gayaza High School as part of the school’s Innovative Agricultural School Development Programme. The donation included:
- 2 Graunvieh/grey cattle crossbreeds
- 2 Friesian crossbreeds
- 2 Guernsey crossbreeds
- 2 Jersey crossbreeds
- 2 Ayrshire crossbreeds
The purpose of this donation was to enable Gayaza High School to multiply and share superior genetic resources with other schools participating in the Annual School Camp. These carefully selected breeds were intended to serve as a model for best practices in livestock breeding and management.
Under the diligent guidance and monitoring of NAGRC&DB, Gayaza High School successfully launched a “pass on of good genetics” program. This initiative ensures that female calves born from the donated crossbreeds are passed on to other participating schools. By 2020, 10 heifers had been passed on to 8 different schools, creating a network of schools that are now better equipped to enhance their livestock genetics.
Over the years, this partnership has provided invaluable hands-on experience in livestock management to students at Gayaza High School and other participating schools. Through this program, students gain practical skills that are vital for their future careers in agriculture.
Building on the success of the “pass on of good genetics” program, NAGRC&DB is exploring opportunities to replicate and expand this model beyond the current beneficiary schools. The program is set to be integrated into NAGRC&DB’s open nucleus breeding program, which aims to extend the benefits of superior livestock genetics to more livestock-keeping communities across Uganda.
In addition to supporting livestock breeding, NAGRC&DB plays a critical role in the Annual School Camp by providing specialized training in various areas of agricultural management, including dairy, beef, piggery, and poultry. These training sessions equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for modern, sustainable livestock management.
We are proud to continue offering in-kind support to Gayaza High School during these camps, further demonstrating our commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Through this ongoing partnership, NAGRC&DB is helping to build a sustainable and innovative agricultural education framework that benefits not only the students of Gayaza High School but also the wider community of livestock farmers in Uganda.
This year, NAGRC&DB is excited to participate in the 10th Annual Gayaza High School Farm Camp, where over 600 campers have been trained in dairy cattle management, piggery, poultry, biogas enterprises, breeding, animal health, and animal nutrition.
The farm camp was officially opened by Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, who encouraged the campers to embrace agriculture as a way of life and to view it as a valuable opportunity to improve their livelihoods. He emphasized that agriculture and the food sector offer promising career paths for Uganda’s youth, where success is not only achievable but also highly rewarding.
