Cricket Uganda continued bridging sport, community empowerment, and sustainable enterprise as Regional Development Officers Baraka Turyamwesiimira and Ssempijja Lawrence undertook visits to the farms of Youth Platform Africa (YPA) in Lyantonde and Gomba, respectively.
YPA, a dynamic non-governmental organization specializing in agribusiness, has carved a strong niche in maize growing, goat rearing, and beekeeping.
Operating multiple farms across Uganda and wider Africa, the organization’s core mission is combating poverty and ignorance by driving purposeful, profitable agricultural investment.
Exploring the Lyantonde Farm: A Firsthand Experience
During his visit to the Lyantonde farm, Ankole Hub Regional Development Officer Baraka Turyamwesiimira gained deep insights into how YPA collaborates with partners to foster financial growth and community development.
“Visiting the YPA farm in Lyantonde opened my eyes to how agriculture can be structured to create real, predictable value for people. It is not just about farming the land; it is about working with a clear purpose and giving partners structured pathways to financial independence,” shared Turyamwesiimira.
Key Models of Partnership at YPA
YPA operates on a unique contract-based model designed to make agricultural investment accessible and rewarding:
Maize Growing: Partners invest shs. 4,000,000 per acre of land. In return, they receive Shs. 1,300,000 per season across six consecutive seasons, with the flexibility to withdraw or reinvest their earnings.
Goat Rearing: For livestock investment, partners contribute shs. 800,000 for every mature goat and Shs. 400,000 for every kid under a three-year contract. At the end of the term, profits are tripled – meaning an initial count of 10 goats expands to 30 (20 mature goats and 10 kids), significantly multiplying the investor’s portfolio.
YPA SACCO: To further support investors, YPA operates an internal savings and credit cooperative society (SACCO) that grants loans to ease and expand agricultural ventures.
Inside the Maddu Gomba Farm
Following the Lyantonde tour, South Western Hub Regional Development Officer Coach Ssempijja Lawrence conducted an extensive follow-up visit to YPA’s major establishment in Maddu, Gomba.
Described as one of the largest youth farms in the region, the Maddu facility boasts advanced infrastructure, including a dedicated water supply channel and dam system that services the entire farm.
Coach Ssempijja inspected the dedicated goat-feeding facilities and reviewed the specific nutritional components used to maintain healthy livestock.
His detailed report highlights the structured operational choices available to prospective partners:
Membership & Packages: Joining YPA membership is free, with project-specific subscriptions available across goats, maize, the SACCO, and CDC goats (at 100,000/= each).
Active vs. Passive Packages: Partners can choose an Active Package (buying goats and taking them to their own farm) or a Passive Package (leaving the livestock under YPA’s comprehensive management).
The 3-Year Passive Management Contract: Under the passive arrangement, YPA completely shoulders operational overheads – covering workers, insurance, land use, medical bills, and veterinary doctors – while the partner’s core requirement is to periodically visit the farm. To register, participants provide a passport-size photo, a photocopy of their ID, and next-of-kin identification details.
Pricing & Asset Valuation: Female goats are priced at 800,000/=, while 1-year-old male goats are valued at 1,500,000/=.
“Visiting the Maddu Gomba farm was an eye-opener. Seeing firsthand the scale of the infrastructure, the water supply system, and the meticulous care given to the livestock proves that agricultural enterprise requires the same discipline, teamwork, and long-term planning that we strive to instill through cricket,” noted Ssempijja Lawrence.
Building Future Partnerships
Building on the insights gathered from these field visits, Cricket Uganda is now looking toward potential institutional collaborations to empower athletes and staff beyond their playing days.
Commenting on the fruitful engagements, Acting CEO Evelyn K.B. Shinyekwa highlighted the strategic alignment between the two organizations:
“As an institution, we are constantly exploring ways to secure the futures of our athletes and personnel long after they hang up their boots or bats. Youth Platform Africa presents a disciplined, transparent, and impactful model of agribusiness. We are keenly eyeing a prospective partnership with YPA to open up sustainable investment and financial growth pathways for the wider Cricket Uganda family.”