Agriculture is a key sector of Uganda’s economy, contributing about 23% of the GDP and 33% of exports as well as employing more than 70% of the National Labour force, most of whom are women and youths located in rural areas and supplies. Hence, the sector is crucial in achieving Uganda’s vision 2040 of transforming from a predominantly peasant to a middle-income economy. One of the strategic areas of focus in National Development Plan (NDP) IV is agro-industrialisation as the dominant source of livelihood for the majority of Ugandans. To achieve this there is need to revamp the Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) in the country.
Since 2013, the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS), in partnership with the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS); the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF); and other partners, have been organizing annual National Agricultural Extension events. These events have consistently facilitated deliberation of strategic tissues in agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) in Uganda. These have also been a unique avenue for sharing experiences and learning amongst professionals from different backgrounds, strengthening interactions with policy-makers and investors and developing fruitful partnerships.
Last year’s National Extension Week 2023 (UGNAEW2023) was held from 23rd to 26th May 2023, with a theme of “Unveiling innovative pluralistic AEAS approaches: Actors’ resilience and competitiveness for food security and commercialized agriculture”. The both physical and virtual event was attended by 342 participants (106W, 236M) of which, 202 (77 Females, 125 Males) attended physically. The event hosted synergetic presentations, discussions, and partners’ side events, among others. The UGNAEW2023 was preceded by 4 pre-workshops that were held from 10th April-18th May 2023, in the Central, Northern, West Nile, and Southern regional hubs.
Hence, the planned Uganda National Extension Week 2024 (UGNAEW2024), proposed to be held from 28th October–01st November 2024 at Silver Springs Hotel. This will be preceded by regional workshops held alongside other events like agricultural shows and others related to agriculture. The main theme of the event will be: “Making Extension Count for Robust, Resilient and Competitive Agri-Food Systems”.
The Uganda National Extension Week 2024 (UGNAEW2024) purposes to bring together Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) actors and stakeholders to present and deliberate on issues that can effectively and efficiently contribute to competitive, resilience and inclusiveness for sustained agri-food systems. AEAS provision requires re-strategizing and rebranding so as to remain relevant, taking into account the paradigm shift that is greatly affecting the way their targeted beneficiaries ought to live, understand and approach the challenges along the agricultural value chain. The challenges are posed by the advancing digital technology, disruptions and shocks of natural calamities, economic fluctuations and resource constraints, that affect agriculture and food systems in the country. Notably, only a limited number of AEAS actors, both organizations and individuals, are adequately equipped to tackle these diverse challenges. The UGNAEW2024 will provide an opportunity for the AEAS actors and stakeholders to interact, share experiences and come up with recommendations on how best they can strategically position themselves to remain robust and relevant.
Developing a sustainable market-oriented agricultural sector has been an area of focus in NDPs over the years. In particular, the fourth National Development Plan underscores the need for sustainably increasing agricultural production, productivity and value addition. This necessitates increasing access to information on quality inputs, innovative financing, markets and value addition by farmers and other actors in agricultural value chain. On that account, AEAS play a critical role in developing a market-oriented agricultural sector since it enables actors in agricultural value chains to access latest advancements, techniques, and innovations to increase their resilience.
During the UGNAEW2023, it was noted that there was a declining appreciation of the relevance of agricultural extension to national development, as demonstrated by the reduced investment in the sector; failure to recruit adequate numbers of extension agents; and perceptions of agricultural extension as useless. It was also noted that despite the efforts to coordinate and regulate a pluralistic AEAS system, there is still weak enforcement of the set standards and guidelines. Addressing the aforementioned challenges ought to be a continuous effort, hence the need for catalyzing and rebuilding a valuable AEAS within Uganda’s dynamic agricultural sector. This requires a multifaceted approach that addresses institutional, capacity, technological, and sustainability challenges. Collaboration between government agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and the private sector entities in provision of AEAS is therefore essential.
This sub-theme will focus on presenting, discussing and sharing the continued and new efforts on how to bring back the value of AEAS and build its capacity so that it can be relevant to the changing needs and conditions in agricultural production and markets.
Globally, the Agri-food system is full of vulnerabilities, uncertainties, complexities, adversities and diverse situations which manifest themselves in terms of natural and human-induced shocks and technological disruptions. In Uganda, the natural resource environment and production systems are facing a lot of pressure due to high population, increased urbanization, increased demand for food resulting from the high population as well as adaptation to the shifting dietary patterns. Climate change is exerting unprecedented pressure on agricultural systems, impacting crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries. Arable lands have been urbanized, forested areas and wetlands cleared for agricultural production and for setting up of industrial complexes. In pursuit of modernization many unsustainable approaches are being used to meet immediate demands, but end up straining natural resources and compromising the livelihood of future generations. Further, highly capitalized and extensive farming systems have created gender and youth gaps and inequalities, despite the economic and social importance of each of these gender groups.
There is therefore, need for resilient agricultural systems that strengthen the ability of the agricultural value chain beneficiaries, especially the farming communities, to withstand, recover, and adapt to various stresses, shocks, and changes. This may include approaches and practices that promote resilience, such as Agro-ecology, Regenerative Agriculture, Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), Integrated Pest Management, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Integrated Water for production management, Nutrition based Agriculture, and organic farming among others. Furthermore, such systems need to be inclusive and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, have equal access to resources, opportunities in, and benefits from agriculture. This necessitates addressing gender-specific needs and constraints, promoting women empowerment; and involving, supporting and mentoring youths to address their unique challenges, as well as ensuring that differently-abled people have access to productive resources and other support services. In addition, it is crucial that affordable financial services, insurance products and fair prices are offered. It is also important to regularly assess and address inclusivity gaps in agricultural programmes.
This sub theme will focus on the different initiatives and approaches that build capacity of the AEAS actors to enhance the resilience of agricultural value chain beneficiaries, especially the farming communities, in an inclusive manner. Systems that build sustainable, equitable, and food-secure communities that can thrive in the face of challenges will also be of interest under this sub-theme.
Food safety involves the handling, preparation, and storage of food in a way that prevents contamination and ensures that the food is safe for consumption. The goal of food safety is to protect consumers from foodborne illnesses, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, chemical and physical contaminants. Ensuring food safety requires a multi-faceted approach that involves among others government regulations and enforcement; industry compliance and best practices; consumer education and awareness; research and development of new technologies; and international cooperation and collaboration.
Agro-export trade refers to the export of agricultural products. It involves growing, harvesting, and processing agricultural products; packaging, labelling, and preparing products for international trade; transporting products to ports, airports, or border crossings; complying with regulations, obtaining certifications, and clearing customs; promoting and selling products in international markets. Agro-export trade plays a crucial role in global food systems, economies, and sustainable development. It enhances economic growth, job creation, foreign exchange earnings, increased food availability and access, improved agricultural productivity and efficiency, and competitiveness and market access.
Most Ugandans rely on agriculture as a major source of food and agriculture accounts for more than 30% of export earnings. Food safety is therefore crucial to ensure public health, consumer confidence and foreign exchange earnings from agricultural exports. Currently, both the public and private sectors grapple with aspects such as training and capacity building, technology adoption, traceability systems and certification, and quality control. Robust and inclusive AEAS are needed to equip different actors in agricultural value chains with skills, knowledge, and resources to boost agricultural productivity, meet international food safety standards, and improve global market reputation and competitiveness.
This sub-theme focuses on how AEAS contributes to addressing challenges of food safety and agro-export trade. AEAS should be well equipped and positioned to ensure a safe and efficient food supply chain that meets international trade requirements.
Private sector agricultural extension services (PSAES) refer to the delivery of agricultural advisory and support services by private, for-profit entities rather than a public good by government and civil society organizations. PSAES may include offering services at a fee in: agricultural related research; agribusiness model development, service packaging, marketing and promotion, capacity building, quality control and assurance and more. It may also encompass establishing business partnerships and collaborations and/or social agro-enterprises.
Uganda’s agricultural sector is growing, and farmers continuously need access to quality extension services. However, the public extension system faces numerous constraints, that make it difficult to reach all farmers. Therefore, encouraging private sector investment in extension services can help fill the funding gap by being more efficient and effective due to competition and market pressures. Private extension services can be more sustainable, as they are driven by market demand and revenue generation. This would complement and support public services, ensuring comprehensive coverage. They can also improve farmers’ adoption and uptake of technologies; introduce innovative approaches, such as digital extension and precision agriculture; tailor services to meet specific farmer needs and demands; create employment opportunities for agricultural professionals, especially youth; enhance private sector investment in agriculture; promote sustainable agriculture practices; and contribute to the overall economic growth.
This subtheme will focus on initiatives and approaches that promote delivery of agricultural advisory and support services by private actors for a profit. What is their role in complementing the public good extension services and what are their current challenges in reaching out to the value chain beneficiaries including farmers?
The expected outputs of the UGNAEW2024 will be:
2. A policy brief on how to make extension count for resilient agri-food systems and stakeholders.
3. Recommendations on how to foster partnerships that facilitate broader adoption and scaling up made.
4. Networking and information sharing strategies among the participants enhanced