The government is set to modernize agriculture in prisons, with a focus on mechanization, technology, and private sector involvement, Home Affairs Minister George Simbachawene has revealed.
The initiative aims to increase productivity while turning prison farms into engines for national food security.
Speaking today during a visit to Kitengule Agriculture and Livestock Prison in Karagwe District, Kagera, Minister Simbachawene stressed the need for the Prison Service to adopt modern farming practices.
He said the move will help prisons not only feed inmates but also contribute to the country’s overall food supply.
“We must embrace change. Through SHIMA (the Prison Production Organization), we will implement large-scale mechanized farming. Our vision is to produce enough to feed the nation, not just prisons. We will also involve the private sector and adopt digital farming to maximize productivity. This is the future of agriculture in our prisons,” Minister Simbachawene said.
The minister highlighted the importance of using improved seeds, modern farming techniques, and technology to increase yields.
He called on prison authorities to change mindsets and align with advancements in agricultural science.
Kitengule Prison Assistant Commissioner Mikael Mafwele shared the successes and challenges faced by their agricultural program.
The prison has cultivated 160 out of 200 acres of land but faces obstacles such as delayed rainfall and crop-damaging wild animals, including monkeys and wild pigs.
“Despite these challenges, we are strengthening protection measures and improving our farming methods. With government support, technology, and private sector participation, we are confident that prison agriculture can achieve much more,” ACP Mafwele said.
The minister’s visit signals a new era for prison farming, one that could provide food for citizens, create employment opportunities, and transform the way prison labor contributes to national development.