At Busitema University, learning doesn’t end in lecture halls. My recess term at the university farm was a powerful reminder that education thrives in the field—where theory meets practice and passion meets purpose. Sponsored by Field of Hope, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in practical agriculture, gaining real-world skills that will shape my future.
Here’s a glimpse into how I spent my recess—transforming knowledge into action across various agricultural sectors.
- Buzzing with purpose: Beekeeping
I started with apiary management, where I learned how to rear bees and produce honey and other by-products like wax and royal jelly. I practiced hive installation (Langstroth being the best option), baiting techniques, bee handling, honey harvesting, and pest control. The highlight? Bottling honey I helped extract. Beekeeping taught me patience, safety, and the power of pollinators in food production.
- Waste to feed: Black soldier fly farming
This innovative approach to producing high-protein animal feed from organic waste fascinated me. I explored the Black Soldier Fly’s lifecycle and how its larvae convert waste into sustainable feed. I built rearing units, managed larvae production, and processed them into feed. It’s a smart, eco-friendly solution to feed shortages in livestock farming.
- Piggery: From breeding to biosecurity
In the piggery unit, I got hands-on with housing design, feed formulation, heat detection, breeding (including AI and natural mating), and disease control. I learned to identify common pig diseases and administer treatments. Proper sanitation, deworming, and record-keeping were critical in maintaining healthy pigs.
- Poultry: Raising layers for success
Focusing on layer chickens, I started from the brooder stage with 1-day-old chicks and followed through to the egg-laying stage. I mastered feeding stages, vaccinations (e.g., Marek’s, Lasota, Gumboro), disease management, and housing transitions. This training built on what I already practiced at home—deepening my love for poultry farming.
- Small but mighty: Goat rearing
Goats are resilient, low-maintenance animals. I studied their housing, breeding cycles, feeds, and disease management. I also learned to handle health practices like vaccination, ear tagging, hoof trimming, and treating diseases such as PPR and foot rot. Goat rearing is indeed a viable enterprise for both rural and urban farmers.
- Big impact: Cattle farming
I explored dairy and beef cattle management, including housing design, calf rearing, artificial insemination, and proper feeding. Health management was key—East Coast Fever, anthrax, and mastitis were among the diseases I learned to diagnose and manage. I also practiced calf bucket feeding and record-keeping, preparing me for full-cycle cattle farming.
- Natural nutrition: Pasture management
Pastures are vital for healthy livestock. I studied both natural and improved grasses and legumes, such as Napier and desmodium. I learned about pasture establishment, weeding, fertilization, and conservation methods like hay and silage preparation. Well-managed pastures significantly reduce feed costs and improve livestock productivity.
- Planting with purpose: Horticulture and agroforestry
My horticulture training took me from onion nurseries to transplanting and pest control. I also explored flower gardening, greenhouse management, and fruit orchard care. In agroforestry, I discovered land-use systems that integrate trees, crops, and animals—sustainable and productive for long-term food security.
- Powering progress: Agricultural mechanization
Finally, I delved into mechanization—learning to operate tractors, identify tools, maintain equipment, and even weld structures. Understanding both powered and hand tools opened my eyes to the potential of large-scale farming. I practiced post-harvest handling and value addition, key for agribusiness success.
Gratitude and Vision ahead
This recess term was more than a learning experience—it was a turning point. I am deeply thankful to Field of Hope for your unwavering support. Your sponsorship empowered me to explore my potential, gain critical skills, and dream bigger.
With what I’ve learned, I’m ready to impact my community, innovate in agriculture, and uplift others. Thank you for believing in me.
May God bless you abundantly.
By Cherotich Tracy Faith: Field of Hope-sponsored student, Busitema University.
