Hon. Minister of State for Defense and Veterans Affairs (Veterans Affairs) visits NEC Farm, Kyankwanzi and Commends the Data-driven Farming Systems.

NALI, Kyankwanzi – September 25, 2026 – The Hon. Minister of State for Defense and Veterans Affairs, in charge of Veterans Affairs, Hon. Dr. Huda Oleru Abason, and a team from the Directorate of Veterans Affairs (DVA) visited the NEC farm in NALI, Kyankwanzi District. Eng. Terwane Simon, the General Manager of NEC Agro, received her on behalf of the Managing Director of NEC.

In her communication, the Hon. Minister said that the visit was part of the ongoing inspection exercise to evaluate the progress of MODVA Agencies implementing the Food and Feeds Security Program and their readiness for the 2026 B cropping season. She was delighted to find a thriving maize crop with parts of the farms at the tasseling stage, especially given the semi-arid conditions of Kyankwanzi and the long drought that has prevailed in the country in recent weeks.

During the farm tour, Eng. Terwane mentioned that the key to success in large-scale farming lies in excellent execution of the series of activities that the farmer has control over, and leaving the rain to God, noting that many farmers fail to execute even the basics required of them. Stating that rain is just one of the requirements for a good harvest.

Eng. Terwane mentioned the key activities in the farmer’s means as being: good preseason preparations and planning, early planting to ride the rain season fully, excellent and timely execution of operations, and use of genuine inputs – all these done with ekibaro in mind (a mathematical calculation applied to business decision-making).

The Hon. Minister commended the data-driven approach to farming being implemented at NEC Farms and challenged NEC to elevate the farm into a center of excellence for many to benefit. The Hon. Minister also urged NEC to share farming technologies with the Veteran farmers involved in the Program and explore ways the two agencies can work together to increase the productivity of the veterans SACCOs in Kabamba.

The Hon. Minister pledged to support ongoing plans to expand the program more effectively, including establishing a new farm in Kyangwari, purchasing agricultural machinery, establishing center pivot irrigation systems, and establishing the NEC Farm as a center of excellence for large-scale commercial maize farming.

The Minister was accompanied by Brig Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Musinguzi, the Director of Veteran Affairs, Mr. Arthur Kamya, Assistant Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Support, and Resettlement, and other Directorate staff. They met and interacted with Eng. Terwane and the farm team, notably: Mr. Asaba Norman, the Farm Manager; Mr. Josephat Musinguzi, the Senior Agronomist; Mr. Isaac Mbeine, the Farm Operations Officer; and other farm personnel.