Promoting organic farming as a pathway to sustainable food production and climate resilience
Organic farming offers a transformative solution to Uganda’s pressing challenges of food insecurity, environmental degradation, and climate vulnerability. As the agricultural sector remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, providing livelihoods for nearly 70% of the population, transitioning to organic farming could significantly enhance the sustainability of food production systems and strengthen climate resilience.
Organic farming methods, such as mulching, cover cropping, and agroforestry, have been shown to help conserve water and improve soil moisture retention. By enhancing soil structure and water infiltration, organic agriculture builds resilience against extreme weather events, benefiting both farmers and the environment. Many organic farmers rely instead on natural farming methods and modern scientific ecological knowledge in order to maximize the long-term health and productivity of the ecosystem, enhance the quality of the products and protect the environment.
Uganda is one of the leading African countries producing and exporting organic products to the EU, US, Japan and other export destinations. The majority of Ugandan small-scale farmers appear to have a high potential for conversion to organic agriculture. Unfortunately, there is too much pressure from the promoter of highly-chemical intense agriculture hence limiting the transition to agroecology. Promoting organic farming is not just about achieving food security; it is a critical strategy for adapting to climate change while fostering sustainable development in Uganda's agricultural sector.
The pathway to scaling organic farming in Uganda requires policy support, capacity-building, and market development. Since 2019, ESAFF Uganda has been organizing the Annual National Organic Week (NOW) to raise awareness among the public on consumption of organic products and the contribution of organic farming and Agroecology in combating the impacts of climate change. Previously, the National Organic Week focused on raising awareness on farmer seed rights and the benefits of locally produced organic food and increase consumption frequency among small-scale farmers, increasing consumer demand, confidence in and appreciation for organically grown produce and food as well as raising the general public’s awareness of the vital connection between organic farming methods and genuine global environmental sustainability.
“Even though I've been farming organically for more than twenty years, National Organic Week always offers something new to learn. Every year, the week provides us with an opportunity to network with other organic farms who are experimenting with various agroecological techniques." –Kisakye Margaret, small-scale farmer.
Yet again, ESAFF Uganda has organized the 6th Annual National Organic Week (NOW) 2024 under the theme of promoting organic farming as a pathway to sustainable food production and climate resilience. The actions during the week will aim at popularizing best agroecological practices among small-scale farmers, schools as well as local leaders, educating consumers on the need to consume organic products, promoting organic certification using the participatory guarantee system (PGS) and emphasizing their role in environmental conservation while mitigating climate change impacts. The week-long event will be celebrated in Apac, Gulu, Nebbi, Iganga, Kasese, Amuru, Serere, Mukono, Mityana and Kampala districts.
“We have tested the participatory guarantee system (PGS) in our groups and we know it’s a better alternative way for certification for our agroecologically produced foods, we are going to use this year’s NOW to push for the recognition and adoption of the PGS by the government.” – Hakim Baliraine, National Chairperson, ESAFF Uganda.
During the 6th Annual National Organic Week (NOW), the following key events will be organized;
Community trainings on agroecological practices and participatory guarantee system (PGS): Small-scale farmers will be equipped with knowledge and hands-on experience on various agroecological practices to boost the productivity of key crops and participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Documentation of impact stories: Stories will be collected on the participatory guarantee system (PGS) from different groups that have been using PGS.
National Media Sensitization Event: Media engagement through radio talk shows on different radio stations focusing on climate resilience, PGS, exposing industrial agriculture, farmer seed and local food among others.
Community Agroecology Learning Events: Different Community Agroecology Schools (CAS) will be exhibiting products and show casing various Agroecology practices and share their journey on adoption of agroecology.
School Debates on Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in the Agroecology Clubs in Schools: Learners will engage in an insightful debate on organic farming as a pathway to sustainable food production and climate resilience.
The 6th Annual National Organic Agriculture Dialogue: Different stakeholders including small-scale farmers, journalists, local leaders and policy makers will participate in this dialogue.
National Press Conference: At the end of the week, small-scale farmers will present the Small-scale Farmers’ Organic Agriculture Declaration to the media.
The 6th Annual National Organic Week (NOW) 2024 will involve small scale farmers, representatives from civil society organizations, policy makers, students, media as well as local leaders. We expect that these different event will reach over 3 million people.
To find out more about the Annual National Organic Week (NOW) 2024 or to support the week-long activities, please write to the Event Coordinator, Rashida Kabanda at rkabanda@esaffuganda.org
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