Mpigi District Orients Community Based Facilitators

The relatively new innovative approach to Parish Development Model (PDM) implementation, namely the Community Based Facilitators (CBFs) took a further step forward last week with the induction of new CBFs at Mpigi District Headquarters.

A cross section of participants at the training

With an attendance of over 100 people including the new CBFs, Community Development Officers (CDOs), Subcounty Agricultural Officers, Town Agents and Parish Chiefs, the induction meeting touched on a myriad of issues such as the identity and roles of CBFs, repayment, group dynamics and the drafting of action plans, to mention but a few.

Mr Sserwadda Patrick making his presentation

Opening out the induction, Mr Sserwadda Patrick, the Mpigi District PDM Focal Person noted that Piggery, maize and coffee had stood out as the most practiced enterprises in the district. He added that the 56 PDM SACCOs in the district will have received 407 million each by the end of this financial year, accounting for 22.8Bn, which will benefit the 1,066 registered enterprise groups.

The PDM Secretariat Team with the DCAO at the meeting

Speaking on behalf of the PDM Secretariat, Mr Robert Sendegeya noted that the CBFs will play a big role in boosting extension services at the parish, to help reduce low productivity, eliminate no productivity and promote better agronomic practices.

“Extension workers are already few and their area of operation is too big for them to sufficiently reach everywhere in time. That is where the CBFs will come in as an initial point of access for extension services” Sendegeya noted.

Mr. Kiwanuka Shimoni, the Regional Support Centre Liaison Officer for the Butambala Cluster, giving a presentation on the overview of CBFs and PTCs

The training then showed the role of CBFs in agricultural extension, their reporting formats, parish planning and concluded with the formation of a post-meeting action plan.

DCDO Nambuuma Annet facilitating the session on group dynamics and mobilisation

Other speakers included the Mpigi District Community Development Officer Ms Nabuuma Annet, the DCAO, DRDC and the Commercial Officer Mr Kazibwe Frank, all of whom were keen to remind the people of nobility of PDM in delivering socio-economic transformation, its community ownership, the revolving fund and thanking the president for instituting it.

The CBFs expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve their country and communities, while the Agricultural officers, CDOs and parish chiefs noted that with CBFs, their task of PDM implementation will become lighter and faster.

Participants pose for a group photo after the training