ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MLINZA FARM

 

About The Farm

Mlinza farm is a mixed demo farm located in Zirobwe-Wabitungulu, Luwero District 60kms from the Capital of Kampala. The farm was started in 2018 and has been operating for 3 years now, started by Mr. Mulindwa Eric and Ms. Carol Zawadde where the name Mlinza is derived from. It's a combination of Mulindwa and Zawedde to make it Mlinza in short.

Mlinza Farms Ltd has two Farms; one in Kiruhura, and the other in Zirobwe, where we visited. The Farm in Kiruhura is basically for goat breeding whereas the farm in Zirobwe is a mixed demo farm. This farm seats on 15 acres and they rear different species of Birds, domesticated animals, and grow crops as well.

The birds they rear include; Ducks (Perkins Ducks, Kayuga Ducks, and the Local Ducks), Turkeys these are local ones majorly, Chicken; these are croilers and local chicken

Cocks Corner 

Perkin Ducks 

Animals are Goats (Boer crosses and Local Mubende Goats), Rabbits, and Guinea Pigs.

Boer Cross Goats and Local Mubende Goats in the Goats Pen 

Breeding Hutch for Rabbits

 

Rabbits in their Hutch 

Domestic Guinea Pigs 

Fish is the other thing they rear, and they have majorly 2 fish ponds and 1 that we left being dug. The fish species here at Mlinza is Catfish majorly.

The crops include; Pineapples, Bananas, Cassava, Potatoes, Yams, and Sweet Potatoes. Others include; Watermelon and Strawberries.

As a mixed demo farm, they do a couple of things and these include:

·   Production

·   Processing

·   Marketing of Agricultural produces

·   Agrotourism/Agritourism

·   Community Outreaches.

However, for this blog, we shall concentrate on Agro tourism which was our main visit to the farm as a tourism professional and a travel blogger.

For starters, Agro-tourism/Agritourism could be thought of as crossroads of tourism and agriculture. It is a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism to attract visitors to the farm to entertain and/or educate the visitors and generating income for the farm because it's not charity. Hahaha, just a prank never mind. Agritourism should at least include the following;

·   Combining the essentials elements of tourism and agriculture

·   Attracting members of the public to visit agricultural operations and participate

·   Designed to increase farm income and,

·   Provides recreation, entertainment, and/or educational experience to the visitors

All the above-mentioned are at Mlinza Farm. This amazed and delighted me as well because agritourism isn't something that many have ventured into yet it has a very big potential for the growth of domestic tourism.

ACTIVITIES ON THE FARM

Whereas Mlinza farm in Zirobwe was started 3 years ago, Farm trips began in January 2020, when they first hosted a group of 250 farmers who had come for agricultural education purposes. Since then the farm has been receiving several visitors both for tourism purposes and agricultural purposes. And lately, it has been more of the tourism purposes. This has been mainly because of the amazing activities on the farm that amaze most of the visitors while on the farm. These include;

Farm Tours

These include School tours, Individual tours, and Group tours on the Farm for both education and tourism purposes. The Farm is big enough seated on 15 acres, Carol Zawedde the CEO of the farm was our tour guide on the farm. She gave us the full details about the farms and what exactly they do. The tour involves you walking around the different animal houses and gardens to see how crops are grown.

Animal/Bird Feeding.

This activity involves, the visitors engaging in feeding the different birds and/or animals. For example the Turkey, Rabbits, Chicken, and the Goats. It's an amazing activity especially if you love spending some quality time with these domesticated birds and animals. While feeding you're taught about their behaviors, feeding habits, and how to take care of them. The activity can go as long as you want to be provided you have enough time.

Turkey Feeding 

Meat Tasting

This is everyone's favorite activity who visits the farm, including us, and of course, you know why. This should be Meat Feasting because it is not just tasting but feasting. With Meat tasting, you choose different types of meat you would love to eat and how you would love prepared depending on the number of people and the amount of money. For example Grilled, Pot-Boiled, Roasted, Pan-fried, or Deep-fried. This is served with either, Potato Wages, Cassava, Posho, Rice, Sweet Plantain, alongside fruit and vegetable salads. The Meat was plentiful, Mouth-watering, appetizing, Tasty, and Flavoursome. OMG, I don't know how to even explain this. Leave alone your usual chicken, have you tasted Pot-Boiled Chicken or Pan-fried Rabbit Meat before? OMG, this is as a sapid and worth every penny. Before we ate "I was at the edge of my seat". Lo, and behold I saw the beautiful wooden food boxes appear on the table. I couldn't hold my excitement. Hahaha. Of course, fruit salads were served first and everyone ate baby portions to have enough room for the meat. Haha. This is a worthwhile experience and highly recommended. 

Getting Set for a Mega Meal 

Food Set-Up 

Pan-fried Rabbit Meat 

Pot-Boiled Chicken 

L-R: French Beans, Duck, Turkey, Pan-Fried Rabbit Meat and Vegetable Salads 

Pineapple Hunting

Not the usual hunting of animals you know, hahaha, this is quite different and interesting, no hustle at all. Here you go to the Pineapple garden and pick as many Pineapples as you can carry in your hands. Quite interesting right? Oh yeah. It is really interesting. You only play 10,000/- for this activity.

Pineapple Garden where Pineapple Hunting is done from 

Fishing

This fishing isn't one of casting nets, no, please. Ponds aren't lakes but you're given a hook that is used in trapping the fish in from the pond and you take the size of the fish you catch with you. Yes! Mlinza Farm is really interesting.

One of the Fish Ponds where Fishing is Done. 

Camping

Just like any tourism destination, visitors may wish to spend a night and Mlinza farm has a small campsite with the requirements. They have tents but you can wish to carry your sleeping bags because these aren't available yet but in plans to procure some according to the CEO Carol. There's a campfire place just at the farm where you can camp at night and entertainment is provided as well while camping. The CEO has a plan of constructing cottages for the guests soon.

Games and Entertainment

Though for us we didn't have time for games, the farm has both indoor and outdoor games. Among the indoor games include; Cards, Chess, Ludo. And the outdoor games include; volleyball and Football. The farm has a volley Court and a football pitch near the farm where visitors can play football with the farm employees. The Volley Ball Court is right there at the farm entrance on the left. This is to give you company and not to feel bored while on the farm and trust me you cannot feel bored.

Future Prospects

Mlinza farm has plans of introducing new animals in addition to the few they have now to increase production on the farm

There's also a plan of constructing visitor cottages to improve on the visitors experience those who will be interested in spending a night at the farm.

How the whole experience was.

Generally, the whole experience was awesome and worthwhile, we spent roughly 5 hours on the farm and every minute on that farm was worth it. From the activities to the feasting time, everything was marvelous! The people on the farm are hospitable and the Carol the CEO is just amazing and so welcoming. We're going back to Mlinza farm on 16th October 2021 and if you're interested please let me know we have limited slots available. But we can always plan for you a farm trip to this amazing farm as Wildfriends Africa Safaris. Just let us know and we plan it for you any time with a minimum number of 4 people.

PICTORIAL OF HOW THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE WAS

A selfie Moment with Carol Zawedde CEO Mlinza Farm 

A Selfie Moment After of Meal with my mates Julie and Victoria