The Ugandan government is developing a new strategy to promote agroecology and organic farming nationwide. The goal is to protect smallholder farmers and local and export agriculture markets amidst rising concerns over chemical use in agriculture, especially substandard toxic substances.
According to Senior Agricultural Officer Sunday Bob George of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the draft strategy is currently under review by different government agencies. It was developed by Makerere University Professor GS Tenywa with NGO and government experts.
The strategy aims to define and enforce roles for all stakeholders along the value chain including farmers, input suppliers, traders, and consumers. Bob outlined this during the launch of Uganda’s Agroecology Week of Action 2023, organized by PELUM Uganda.
PELUM, a regional network of 250 civil society organizations, says the strategy will support climate change mitigation. PELUM Board Chair Dr. Christopher Kyeswa noted increased agroecology investment will aid climate efforts through sustainable farming practices.
Farmer Elizabeth Kabakoyo called for reducing toxic chemical use which harms soils and products. Her company produces organic fertilizers and pushes for indigenous farming. Regulating chemicals would also help address climate change by protecting disappearing species, she added.
Kabakoyo urged establishing organic food markets and a certification process at the UNBS standards body. There are also efforts to ban export of agricultural chemicals restricted in producing countries to Africa.
The NGO HUMUNDI, active against hunger and poverty, is leading efforts launched last year for Belgium and France to cease exporting hazardous farm chemicals banned in the EU to less developed nations