RENAISSANCE LIVESTOCK FARMERS NETWORK (RELINE)
Renaissance Livestock Farmers Network (RELINE) is a membership organisation registered under the Companies Act (Cap. 110) and headquartered in Kampala, Uganda. It is independent and non-partisan and collaborates with anybody for purposes of furthering its objectives. The Network works as a facilitator across the entire value chain to ensure that its
members run profitable livestock farming businesses. Its “vision” is to be the leading network of livestock farmers in Uganda, practicing modern and commercial livestock farming for sustainable socio-economic benefits while its “mission” is to adopt, practice and promote modern commercial livestock in the country in accordance with its “Standard”. The Network membership comprises of sixty-five (65) farms but its activities are open to all interested livestock farmers. Objectives of the Network include to:
(a) Practice modern commercial livestock farming, including managing the farms as businesses;
(b) Enhance productivity of the farms, especially through improved feeding, disease control, all round record keeping and producing for the market;
(c) Adopt and maintain best practices of animal selection and breeding and avoid in-breeding as much as possible;
(d) Increase the technical ability of farmers and farm workers and welfare thereof;
(e) Encourage farm owners to actively participate in all farm activities to acquire a deeper appreciation of their farming business;
(f) Implement all strategic activities in the livestock industry as promoted by government, especially those relating to animal health;
(g) Work with relevant stakeholders to create a “stud book” in which members with different stock will form societies and create “trusted sources” of quality stock;
(h) Support in-situ and ex-situ conservation and improvement of indigenous livestock;
(i) Increase awareness among members on modern methods of livestock production;
(j) Lobby and support implementation of relevant laws in Uganda;
(k) Maintain internal discipline in implementing these objectives;
(l) Explore and introduce means of securing financing to sustain the farms;
(m) Undertake advocacy to realize the objectives of the Network; and
(n) Undertake relevant Corporate Social Responsibility activities among livestock farming communities in Uganda. So far, it has undertaken capacity-building in livestock selection, health and feeding and planning and budgeting, trained members in record keeping and provided information on livestock insurance, investment and taxation. The Network now has a “ten-year strategic plan” with priorities. While the Network will continue deepening and consolidating achievements so far, it plans to implement all its objectives in accordance with the strategic plan priorities and its “standard” and establishing a financial mechanism to develop and sustain the farms.
