Abstract:
Industrial training (BSA 3209) is one of the examinable modules that is done at Busitema University, Faculty of agriculture for a period of 10 weeks by students aiming to become agriculture professionals. It exposes the student to the farmers in whom he or she learns from it and also the farmers learn from the student, gives the students a hands-on experience in farm and community practice and farming in general by giving them an opportunity to stay and interact with the community. The 10 weeks industrial training attachment was carried out at Kobulubulu lower local government in Kaberamaido district where I got exposure in fields such as crop production, animal production, community based services, and administration. Participatory discussions, demonstration methods and observation were methods used to obtain information from the farmers during the attachment period. Various activities were carried out such as orientation, mobilization, parasites and disease identification, etc. Skills such as agricultural routine activities, identification of problems in farms and communities concerning production, use of agrochemicals, and disease diagnosis were attained. Some challenges were also encountered in the course of attachment such as inadequate farm tools and long distances to the farmers' fields. However, some Recommendations were highlighted to the university and the sub-county to mitigate the challenges encountered such as the purchase of more farm tools to allow students to carry out practical activities in time, the need for timely preparation to enable students to complete their activities in time.
In conclusion, industrial training was marvelous because I was able to obtain practical skills such as animal parasites and disease identification.