As part of the Global Programme for Small-scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (GP-SAEP) project implementation in Uganda, the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) hosted a workshop on January 20–22, 2025, at the serene Great Outdoors Kalanamu in Luweero District, Central Uganda. The event brought together the core implementation team to review project progress, refine proposals for agroecological innovations, strengthen the team’s capacity, and strategize for impactful project activities in 2025.
UFAAS Chief Executive Officer Mrs Beatrice Luzobe emphasized the importance of this workshop, describing it as a critical step in advancing the project’s core activities while offering a moment of rejuvenation for the team members. According to Mrs Luzobe, the objectives of the workshop were to:
- Refine proposals for the selected agroecology innovations by the Master Trainers,
- Enhance the project implementing team’s knowledge on two pertinent topics relevant to the project scope, namely; integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into agricultural extension, and, how to build a Community of Practice for Agroecology.
- Finalize the participatory work plan for the 2025 GPSAEP project activities.
Group photo: Workshop participants
Agroecology proposals presented: One of the key tenets of the GP-SAEP project is the co-creation of agroecology innovations with the communities. Master trainers developed proposals to establish and scale out selected agroecology initiatives to aid the transition of small-scale farmers towards agroecology even after the project has phased out. These proposals were presented during the workshop, and their peers and the UFAAS Secretariat team provided feedback on how to best refine and package their innovations.
Gerald Kasiita, a Master trainer for Sembabule District, proposed introducing Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMO) in piggery management and promoting the use of biofertilizers; Lydia Adong from Soroti District proposed improving the feeding of poultry through the promotion of Black Soldier Flies (BSF) and the use of natural/organic pesticides in various crop enterprises. For Isaac Awany of Lira District, his proposal was to introduce the Black Soldier Fly for use as an animal feed, citing that this innovation hadn’t been done in the entire district. Munyole Andrew of Buikwe District proposed to promote organic animal feed Azolla for poultry, piggery, and rabbitry, while Jeniffer Hire proposed establishing and scaling out organic vegetable gardens in Bugiri District.
Enhancing knowledge on topical areas—Artificial intelligence and Building a Community of Practice: In the presentation on Integrating Artificial Intelligence, Ms. Monalisa Mutesi, the Uganda Team Lead for Virtual Agronomist, elaborated on the concept, it’s merits and demerits, and cited some examples where it is used in agricultural extension, such as using photographic interpretation to diagnose pests and disease on farms and the delivery of tailored advice to farmers. Ms. Elizabeth Asiimwe, the Communications and Knowledge Manager at UFAAS, delivered a training on how to establish and run a Community of Practice (CoP). She underscored the role of CoPs in enhancing knowledge and promoting desirable practices in relation to agroecology.
Above: Participants in a practical session on using artificial intelligence in plot nutrient identification
2025 Action planning for GPSAEP activities: The workshop was also an opportunity for project teams to brainstorm, work on presentations jointly, and refine the roadmap for key project activities of 2025, including the upcoming Global Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (GFRAS) Cross-Regional Learning Workshop and the integrated field plans.
Participants left the workshop inspired, equipped with new knowledge, and ready to drive agroecology innovations across districts in Uganda. One of the Master trainers after the workshop said, “This is an excellent workshop because we learnt many things, finalised the workplan, and shared personal stories during the gift exchange and bonding activities.” He noted that he felt valued, relaxed, and energised to work better. The UFAAS leadership and participants alike praised the retreat’s success, reaffirming their rejuvenation and commitment to impactful GPSAEP Project activities in 2025.
Event resources:
Above: (L) – Participants during a forest walk on one of the evenings; (R) – A section of participants around a fireplace where story-telling and gift exchange were done.
About the GP-SAEP Project:
The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) is implementing an agroecology project in close collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project called ‘Global Programme for Small-scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (GP-SAEP)’ is part of the larger funding envelope provided by the European Commission (EC) and the Belgian Development Cooperation, aiming at addressing key barriers for scaling up agroecology and the transition to sustainable food systems for small-scale producers (farmers and agri-food Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC). The overall GP SAEP started in the first quarter of 2023 and will run until June 2026.
The Programme is structured around four components. Component 1) Improving access to inputs including seeds, bio-inputs and mechanical equipment; Component 2) Increasing value addition and markets for agroecological producers; Component 3) Enhancing Rural Advisory Services (RAS) and farmer-to-farmer joint learning for small-scale producers in transition to agroecology; and Component 4) Improving Economic and Financial Analysis of investments (EFA+) tools, to assess the impact and benefit of investments in rural agri-food sector.
UFAAS, the Uganda country forum of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the Global Forum Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) in partnership with Access Agriculture and the youth network YPARD are responsible for Component 3: Enhancing Rural Advisory Services (RAS) and farmer-to-farmer joint learning for small-scale producers in transition to agroecology. The goal is to strengthen and support rural advisory services (RAS) providers (including public agricultural extension, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Farmer Organisation (FOs), agroecology-based MSME input providers) towards co-creation with and empowerment of small-scale producers and enabling them to innovate and adopt agroecological practices and technologies adapted to the accelerating challenges of climate change. Small-scale farmers will be empowered in the agroecology transition through participatory, experiential learning approaches that recognize farmers as drivers of agroecological innovation in integrated practices and technologies.
This component is composed of two subcomponents, each with some key activities, including: i) strengthening the capacity of RAS for agroecology; and, ii) generating and disseminating knowledge on best practices for agroecology and rural advisory service. This overall objective will contribute towards achieving the development objective of the comprehensive GP-SAEP, of which this project is part:
“Enable rural small-scale producers to strengthen their practice of agroecology through better access to knowledge, support services, improved technologies and market outlets thereby improving their resilience to climatic, environmental, and socio-economic shocks and stressors as well as food and nutrition security and incomes”.
About UFAAS:
The Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) is the country chapter of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) in Uganda. It is a forum that brings together a wide range of actors involved in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) in Uganda. Membership includes individuals and organizations involved in agricultural extension and advisory services in Uganda from the private and public sector, farmers’ organizations, local governments, NGOs, and academia. AFAAS is the umbrella network organization for AEAS in Africa. It operates within the framework of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), with a focus on Pillar IV. Launched in May 2011 and registered in Uganda, UFAAS aims at improving the overall provision of agricultural advisory services in Uganda by improving coordination and harmonization of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS). UFAAS mission is to “Promote an effective, efficient, and innovative AAS system through advocacy, capacity building, information sharing, and increased professional development among AEAS actors in Uganda.
For correspondence, please contact: Ms Beatrice Luzobe, Chief Executive Officer, UFAAS; Email: ufaas2013@gmail.com
Compiled by Elizabeth Asiimwe, UFAAS CIKM