By Aloysious Kasoma
Small-scale farmers in Uganda are embracing community agroecology schools as a means to access instant markets for their farming products.
The adoption of this approach is gaining momentum across all regions of the country, empowering farmers and fostering sustainable food systems
Agroecology encompasses the relationship between agricultural production systems and ecological processes. It includes all the techniques that allow agricultural practices to be more respectful of the environment and its ecological specificities.
According to a report by the Eastern Southern Africa Small Scale Farmer’s Forum (ESSAFF), the impact of community agroecology schools has been significant. Over 5,645 people have directly and indirectly benefited from the initiative, with 34 community schools built and over 1,000 individuals becoming members of these schools.
Community Agroecology Schools serve as platforms for small-scale farmers and community members to gather and engage in discussions on agroecology.
Hakim Baliraine, the Uganda National Vice Chairperson of ESAFF, stated that they have collaborated with partners such as AFAAS, Oxfam in Uganda, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and the East Africa Field School Hub to organize events focusing on the Farmer Field School approach as a model for providing agriculture extension in communities.
“The Community Agroecology Schools bring together small-scale farmers and other members of the community into a social gathering where topical discussions on agroecology are conducted,” Baliraine explained.
Through these schools, farmers can collectively develop their own curriculum, implement it, and assess their performance in transitioning to agroecology.
This approach allows them to identify challenges within their ecological systems and develop strategic solutions through knowledge sharing and practical application. Additionally, they can identify stakeholders who can offer guidance in addressing food system challenges, thus ensuring sustainable food systems.
“The schools have key pillars, including agroecology gardens where members learn by seeing and doing, community learning, and exchange learning where members share knowledge with other community members or learn from other communities,” Baliraine explained.
The establishment of Community Agroecology Schools has empowered farming communities, fostering exchange and cooperation between small-scale farmers and various stakeholders.
Moreover, these schools promote research, education, and coordination within the farming communities, leading to improvements in farming systems, healthy diets, nutrition, and environmental conservation.
Despite the agricultural sector contributing approximately 23% of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually, much of the sector remains underdeveloped due to the prevalence of subsistence farmers.
Smallholder farmers, constituting the majority of players in both crop and livestock sectors, have been crucial in producing food and cash crops, and they employ a significant portion of the population, including youth, women, and the elderly. Their efforts have contributed to Uganda’s food security within the East African Community (EAC) region.
Experts believe that embracing agroecology is essential to guaranteeing food sovereignty, responsible investments, and respecting the rights and needs of local citizens, especially for small-scale farmers.
By adopting comprehensive approaches like agroecology, Uganda’s farmers are positioning themselves as agents of community change, working towards a future where food is abundant, income is steady, and poverty is reduced.
They play a vital role in supplying over 80% of the food in the sub-Saharan region, further solidifying their critical importance in the country’s agricultural landscape.
