How Community Agroecology Schools are Driving Sustainable Farming in Uganda

According to the Scientific Group of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021 report, food systems contribute approximately 80% of biodiversity loss. In Uganda, according to a World Bank report, the cost of unsustainable rate of soil erosion and land degradation is approximately 17% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Small-scale farmers, however, confront several obstacles, from soil erosion and climate change to market and financial accessibility. With more than 70% of the population depending on farming for a living, agriculture continues to be the backbone of the Ugandan economy. One of the approaches towards sustainable food systems that has gained much attention recently is agroecology as it fosters ecological balance, increases biodiversity, and strengthens the resilience of farming communities.

Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF) Uganda established 37 Community Agroecology Schools (CAS) across Uganda as a significant initiative in assisting small-scale farmers in adopting agroecology in the country.  There are 1,095 members of CAS of which 56% are women. ESAFF Uganda has directly trained 567 farmers. By encouraging sustainable and varied farming methods, these schools are significantly contributing to the diversity of Uganda's agricultural production. The schools are ensuring the development of policy frameworks that favor small-scale farmers while working closely with local leaders in a given community. At national level, ESAFF Uganda has supported the development of National Agroecology Strategy (NAS) that aims at promoting the transition to agroecology.

In order to build more complex and robust agricultural systems, CAS members learn how to incorporate a variety of plants and animals into their farming systems. This strategy works well in areas where monoculture farming methods have reduced biodiversity, made soils less fertile, and made people more susceptible to pests and diseases. Through the Community Agroecology Schools, members are in position to improve food security and revenue diversification while lowering their reliance on inputs like chemical pesticides and fertilizers by encouraging crop variety.

“Using the knowledge that I learnt from the school, I was able to establish my kitchen garden at home where I am applying agroecological practices like mulching and planting my vegetables, I can now confidently say my family is food secure and we have food throughout the year” Said Boosi Sarapio, Facilitator-Kisanga Community Agroecology School

Challenges faced by Small-scale Farmers

Uganda is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as floods, droughts, and altered weather patterns.  With its emphasis on sustainable methods, agroecology aids farmers in becoming more resilient to these climate shocks.  CAS gives farmers the tools they need to modify their farming operations in response to climate change by integrating indigenous knowledge and natural resource management strategies.

According to Bugembe Partick, Production Manager at Magongolo CAS, it has been a difficult period for other farmers in the district because of too much sunshine but for members of CAS, they were able to adapt by having simple irrigation systems in place.

Small-scale farmers in farming communities are faced with the availability of synthetic fertilizers that is harmful to soil, human and the environment but Community Agroecology Schools are supporting members to produce and use organic pesticides and fertilizers in their farms to boost production and productivity while reducing the cost oof production. This is because members of CAS are using the locally available materials to produce the organic pesticides and fertilizers.

“As members of the CAS, we have been having vegetables at all times because of the knowledge we acquired from the school. We water our vegetables at all times and this has provided us with food all season” Patrick added.

On the other hand, small-scale farmers are also faced with inabilities to access all the necessary tools needed for their production. There is need for the farmers to have exchange learning visits but due to limited resources, they are not able to go and learn from others.

“Last year our school had a plan of traveling to Northern Uganda to see the different practices that they are doing but we did not have the money to facilitate the process. It would be important for us to learn from them and apply in our farms” - A member of Magongolo Community Agroecology School in Mityana district said.

How Community Agroecology Schools are Transforming Agriculture

Members of Magongolo and Zitodde Community Agroecology Schools in Mityana and Mubende districts respectively are embarking on initiatives that conserves environment and improves biodiversity including establishment of agroecology gardens, production of organic pesticides and fertilizers, rain water harvesting, poultry farming, piggery, rabbit and goats rearing. These activities aim at empowering members to be nutrition and food secure as well as enhancing their diversity. Through this, members have established kitchen gardens in their homes to improve their diets and incomes.

“In this community, members are no longer worried of the pest and disease attack as the knowledge we got enabled us to produce and use organic pesticides in our gardens. People are admiring what we are doing in our school and they end up joining the school”. Justine Arinaitwe, Facilitator – St. Cecilia Community Agroecology School in Kasese said

Kizito Joesph, Chairperson Zitodde CAS called on other farmers to embrace the different practices done at Community Agroecology Schools as they are healthy and conserves the environment. According to him, CAS ensures effective production by farmers in communities and it brings people together to learn from each other.

“Here in our school, we use the locally available materials like chicken and animal droppings to make organic manure. This is very safe for us and the soil. Even if we are applying, we don’t need to protect ourselves from anything. Even the organic pesticides that we make, we use local materials that are easily accessible and safe to use”.-Kizito Joseph said

Future of Agroecology in Uganda

There is need for policymakers, mall-scale farmers, private sector and other stakeholders to support and invest in Community Agroecology Approach that is transforming farming communities. Reaping the full benefits of agroecology requires support from the government through several interventions such as infrastructure development, information technology, agroecology market, equipment among others.