Abstract:
The field attachment was designed by Busitema University Arapai campus student for completing their first academic year.
The ten weeks of my field attachment was carried out at Abi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Abi -ZARDI) in Arua city, which is under NARO, serving the twelve districts of west Nile region.
The main objective of the attachment was to ensure that I attained practical skills, knowledge and experience in the diverse fields of Agriculture and finally compile and produce at the end a report that would be presented as part of requirements for the award of a Diploma in crop production and management
While at the institute we carried out a number of activities under three research programs namely; Crops and natural resource research program, Livestock and fisheries program and technology promotion and outreach program.
During the course of the internship, various activities were carried out in different units amongst others include; Animal disease identification, diagnosis and treatment, ear tagging, identification of pastures, data collection, deworming and dehorning, Spraying of cattle, Field setting, Identification of different pests and diseases in the field.
Apiculture units, we learnt identification of bees, identification of bee hives, hive inspection, bee equipment and management practices.
Under aquaculture unit, we discussed fish farming, identification of fish spices, introduction to pond construction and designing, record keeping and management at fish pond,
The biggest challenge was the prolong drought which affected some of the activities more especially under crop agronomy as it was normally done during rainy season
The institute should adapt simple water harvesting technology especially rain water harvest from roofs of many house blocks within the institute.
