Agrotourism, as it is defined most broadly, involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch.
Agrotourism has different definitions in different parts of the world, and sometimes refers specifically to farm stays, as in Italy.
Elsewhere, agrotourism includes a wide variety of activities, including buying produce direct from a farm stand, navigating a corn maze, slopping hogs, picking fruit, feeding animals, or staying at a bed and breakfast (B&B) on a farm.
Subsistence agriculture and animal husbandry are the main economic activities in Kabarole District.
The crops grown in Kabarole District include:
Soybeans, Onions/Obutunguru, Cassava/Muhoogo, Bananas/Ebyenju, Matooke (green bananas)/Ebitooke, Corn/Ebicooli, Beans/Ebihimba, Sorghum/Omugusa, Potatoes/Ebilaya, Sweet potatoes/Ebitakuli, Groundnuts/Ebinyobwa, Millet/Oburo, Yams/Ebinyonga, Coffee/Omwani, Tea/Amajani, Pineapples/Enanasi, Tomatoes/Enyanya, Cabbage
Livestock is the second economic activity practiced in the district. In 2005, there were approximately 18,695 heads of exotic/cross bred cattle, 35,199 indigenous cattle, 75,897 goats, 6,442 sheep, 12,162 pigs, 9,776 exotic/cross bred chicken, 131,255 local chicken, 4,467 ducks, 1,040 turkeys, 326 guinea fowl, and 122 geese in the district.
Commercial fishing occurs on about 30 of the 52 crater lakes, scattered in Kabarole District. The main fish species harvested from the crater lakes is the small Haplochromines (Nkejje).
Fishing, mainly of Protopterus aethiopicus (Lung fish), is also carried out in a number of wetlands. Some fishing also goes on in the Area Rivers including:
River Kayagi, River Kaija, River Kahomba, River Sogohi, River Muzizi, River Rwimi, River Kakoko, River Kakule, River Kabago,, River Kizikibi, River Yerya
Aquaculture is practiced with increasing frequency in the district and in 2005 there were over 300 fish ponds stocked with tilapia and mirror carp species.
At your tour to kabarole, visit Mpanga G.T.F.L where Quality is paramount. To produce a consistent, high quality made tea, we believe in quality control at every stage of the production process i.e. self-checking mechanism has been installed at every stage of manufacture to ensure production of good quality teas.
Tasting is an intrinsic part of our tea production process: our highly experienced tasters examine each sample for appearance, infusion and liquor.
All results are recorded and reviewed. This has ensured a unique liquor and aroma which identifies Mpanga tea from other teas.
Mpanga teas are produced, right from the gardens under very strict hygiene standards and are free from pesticides residue.
As an international producer, Mpanga has observed some of the standards required of food processing industries.
Mpanga is currently implementing HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Control of Critical points) to ensure safety of its products to the final consumer. This has increased the buyer’s confidence in our products.
Mpanga has highly trained personnel who provide extension services to the small holder tea farmers to ensure good crop husbandry and production of high quality green tea leaves.
Tea farmers are supplied with appropriate fertilizer every year, on affordable credit scheme.
On the estates we are investing in new areas of clonal tea guaranteed to improve the quality of the end product. Our tea nurseries are continuously monitored and nurtured until the young plants are ready for planting out.