Jinja: As the National Agriculture Education Show enters its final days, schools continue to send their students to participate and gain agricultural skills. The event features a wide range of exhibitors, including agribusiness proprietors and agri-technology experts, who are showcasing and educating young learners on modern agricultural methodologies.
One of the notable exhibitors at the event is Kakira Secondary School, where agri-prenuer students are demonstrating their ability to manufacture various products, such as local sweets, mosquito repellents, brick making, tomato sauce, and tomato chili-sauce. These innovative ventures add value to agricultural produce, providing students with practical knowledge on value addition and entrepreneurship.
During a visit to Kakira Secondary School’s stalls, Busoga Today observed S.5 students Ashiraf Kasadha and Joan Ludia, who were actively teaching their peers from different schools about the process of making sweets from sugar. They explained that anyone can engage in this activity as long as they have the required materials, such as sugar, water, a saucepan, a tabulating machine, and a mixing stick.
“Colleagues, you can do this and earn money while still in school. We are practicing it with minimal costs for purchasing the necessary ingredients, and it’s a worthwhile endeavor,” Kasadha shared, emphasizing that the process is not demanding or exhausting.
At Jinja Secondary School’s exhibit, Ashiraf Kaziba, a S.6 student, showcased his exceptional knowledge of manufacturing electricity from lemons. He explained that six lemons can produce power to charge phones and light bulbs. Kaziba further highlighted the versatile uses of lemons, stating that their citric acid oil can be employed as a mosquito repellent, for healing skin rashes, and as an ingredient in various food, cosmetic, and cleaning products.
“The lemon, after a simple process, can yield oil that serves multiple purposes, including acting as a natural mosquito repellent, healing skin ailments, and enhancing the flavor of various dishes,” Kaziba explained enthusiastically.
The innovative products and ideas presented by these agri-preneur students are just a glimpse of the immense potential that lies within Uganda’s youth. By incorporating practical agricultural skills and entrepreneurship into their education, these students are not only learning valuable lessons but also cultivating a spirit of innovation and self-sufficiency.
As the National Agriculture Education Show continues, more students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and contribute to the development of the agricultural sector in Uganda. It is through such initiatives that young agri-preneurs will play a crucial role in driving economic growth and transforming the agricultural landscape of the country.
