BY SYLIVIA NAMUWANGA
Ugandan Farmers have been told to resort to Agroecological farming practices such as the use of
organically farming inputs such as
locally produced fertilizers , pesticides as way to boost organically produced
Agricultural products which are more healthier and highly demanded both on local and International markets .
Farming groups especially the Small holder
farmers say the system is environmentally friendly and less costly compare to
the Conventional Ones where a lot of inorganic farming inputs are highly used.
To
ensure that farmers embrace the production systems many interventions have been
initiated by farming associations such as the Eastern and Southern Africa Small
Scale farmers Forum (ESAFF) and other farmers groups especially those that
units Small Scale farmers across the Country. For the last four years the forums
have been organizing. The Annually National Organic Week since 2019.
According
to Hakim Baliraine the National Chairperson, ESAFF Uganda said that they use
the Week to share best farming experience related to Agroecology farming practices.
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| Farmers practicing Agroecology , the farming practice save the Environment |
“Since
2019, ESAFF Uganda has been organizing the National Organic Week to raise
awareness among the public on consumption of organic products and the contribution
of organic farming towards the production of healthier food and also as a
pillar in combating climate change” The chairperson said.
Baliraine
added that currently many Ugandan are Consuming foods that are highly
contaminated with Chemical residues which is big threat to the health of many Uganda
and the global at large.
“With
Agroecology farming practices this can be eliminated at the production level by
farmers since Agroecology practices are safe” He supported the Adaptation of
the farming practices.
It’s on this Back ground that yet again, ESAFF
Uganda has organized the 5th National Organic Week (NOW) 2023 which will aim at
informing the wider public about the importance of organic farming and
consumption of organically produced foods as well as encouraging uptake of
organic farming practices among small scale farmers This year’s theme will be
focusing on the promoting of Agroecological farming techniques and healthy
foods.
Over
the past ten years, global output and trade of organic agriculture have grown
exponentially. Global market opportunities, particularly in industrialized
nations like Europe and North America, shifting consumer preferences toward
safe and hazard-free organic food, rising environmental consciousness, and the
health risks associated with agrochemicals are a few of the main factors
driving the growing interest in organic agriculture.
Uganda's
agricultural system is essentially organic by nature due to the relatively low
use of foreign inputs like inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Chemical
fertilizers are among the least used in the globe, despite the fact that their
use is rigorously regulated for plant protection.
According
to the players in the Agricultural Sector, This situation presents a tremendous
potential for organic agriculture to develop and sustainably produce more food
in order to increase food security and farmer revenue Farmers.
“In
the heart of every farmer, the National Organic Week leaves a lasting imprint.
It's a time when we reflect on the true essence of our craft, nurturing the
land, and tending to the roots of sustainability. This week reminds us that the
choices we make today, in support of organic farming, will bear fruit for
generations to come. It's not just a celebration; it's a commitment to our
planet's health and the legacy we leave behind in conserving our environment.”-
Mr. Hakim Baliraine, National Chairperson, ESAFF Uganda added.
The
5th National Organic Week which
will run from the 25thSeptember 2023 and ends on the 29th
aims at increasing awareness on Agroecological farming production systems and
accelerate the uptake of these in the wider farming community, increase
awareness of organic products and their benefits among the consumers, position
indigenous seed varieties as the best adaptation strategy to address the
impacts of climate change and to provide a platform for dialogue between policy
makers and small scale farmers on how to sustainable organic and biological
farming methods and products directly meet the agricultural and environmental
challenges.
The
week-long event will be celebrated in Soroti, Gulu, Masaka, Lira, Amuru,
Amuria, Adjumani, Kisoro, Kasese, Mbale, Kamuli, Jinja and Mityana and will
include community dialogues, radio talk shows, engagement with Agroecology
Clubs in Schools and the 5th National Organic Dialogue as the climax
event.
