Dr. Zziwa points out that in Uganda, dry spells have become more prolonged, leading to decreased yields from plantations. In response to these challenges posed by climate change, he emphasized the importance of farmers embracing modern irrigation practices.
Organized by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and held at Speke Resort, Munyonyo in Kampala, the conference brought together governments, researchers, and civil society organizations committed to achieving food self-sufficiency in Africa.
President Yoweri Museveni in his 2016 campaign manifesto pledged to avail hoes to every household in the country in order to support agriculture production. Museveni also noted that each household especially the vulnerable persons should be provided with two hand hoes.
Agricultural production slightly fell but remained strong unlike other sectors like tourism, hospitality, transport and education, some of which almost came to a halt.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, agriculture, which is the source of livelihood to two-thirds of Ugandans, contributed 23.7% in the financial year 2020/2021, compared to 23.9% in the previous year.
According to Amos Lugoloobi, agro-industrialization will be achieved through different strategic actions including developing Commodity Value Chains linking national, regional, district and sub-county level commodity off-takers to private nucleus farmers.
In his response, Abubakar Mohammed Moki, the Commissioner of Policy development and Capacity Building at the Cabinet Secretariat from the Office the President, Moki advised them to opt for Famer to Farmer extensions explaining that farmers who are knowledgeable in a given area can move out to support other farmers so as to meet the challenges of the partner and finding solutions
The President said that although many MPs questioned why Uganda was building roads in Congo yet it still has a poor road network, the country needs to boost its trade with DR Congo with South Sudan in order to build better roads. He added that the matter should not be discussed in such a way to avoid 'annoying' the neighbours.
Jomo Mugabe, a farmer from Nyakayojo Division in Mbarara district says the price of a bunch of Matooke at the plantation has fallen to 4000 Shillings down from 15,000 Shillings. He says that most of the food from his plantation was transported to markets in the urban centres, which at the moment are no longer taking as many supplies as was the case before the lockdown.
Associate Professor Alex Ariho, the Director-General of Excel Hort Consult Agribusiness incubator in Biharwe, says that farmers need to borrow a leaf from religious leaders who have embraced social media tools and platforms to maintain contact with their flock.
The disease affects the colour of the banana fingers and bunches from green to brown or black, according to one of the affected farmers Nestori Aturinda. He says that the disease eventually results in premature ripening and shrinking of the banana’s, yet even when cooked, they remain hard and inedible.
The curriculum has attracted nationwide criticism among members of the public and educationists. Last week, the Parliament of Uganda suspended its implementation after a heated plenary on grounds of inadequate stakeholder consultation. They said that the schools were not adequately prepared to roll out the new curriculum.
The district which borders Mbarara, Kiruhura, Buhweju and Kamwenge hosted this year’s National Resistance Movement-NRM liberation Day celebrations, commemorating the date in 1986 when the NRM Captured Kampala to overthrow the government of the day, after a five-year protracted struggle.
Wilson Kasana, a dairy farmer from Sanga in Lyantonde district, says closing village coolers would affect them a lot, saying cooperatives pay unfair prices to farmers.
The beneficiaries, from the districts of Kwania, Apac and Dokolo adopted the use of technologies for value addition, fertilizers and planting crops in line as opposed to the local practice of sowing.
