By Stephen Nuwagira
Farmers often complain of a lack of sustainable markets for their produce and access to affordable inputs for their agricultural activities, challenges that have affected production.
However, these, and many other hurdles farmers face, could be easily addressed if farmers worked in organised groups and co-operatives, said Justus Ahimbisibwe, the Ibanda Community Organisation Network (ICON) vice-chairperson.
Ahimbisibwe said the Government and non-profit organisations in the agriculture sector are always willing to support farmer groups in the provision of improved seeds and animal breeds, equipment and training, among others.
“It is important that you form groups and register them with the Government at the sub-county level to benefit from these opportunities,” he said.
Ahimbisibwe was speaking at the end of the Ibanda district farmers’ training and exhibition at Saza Playground in Ibanda town on Saturday.
It attracted 45 exhibitors, individuals and co-operatives involved in agro-processing from Ibanda, Masaka, Mbarara, and Kamwenge districts.
The farmers and exhibitors showcased agro-innovations and technologies such as solar irrigation, banana micro-propagation and value addition during the exhibition.
The three-day event was organised by ICON, Ibanda District Farmers’ Association, and the Ibanda district local government under the theme: Agriculture modernisation and value addition.
It was also aimed at creating market linkages among farmers and buyers as well as other stakeholders like banks, educational institutions and input suppliers.
Sylvia Naturinda, the Ibanda Community Organisation Network chief executive officer, said harnessing technology in production and value addition would enable the farmers to access better markets.
“This way, we can contribute meaningfully to the sector and earn better returns from our farming activities,” Naturinda said.
Joram Timbigamba of Rwamwanja Rice Farmers’ Association from Kibaale East county, Kamwenge district, attested to this, saying members grow, process and pack rice in three grades and also make animal feeds and briquettes from the husks.
He said the association members have been earning more from their efforts, thanks to agro-processing.
Patience Akampa Katunge, from Bin Dairy, a women’s group involved in making yoghurt and other milk products, said the exhibition gave them a platform to market their products, adding that they were working with the Dairy Development Authority to certify their products for easy market access.
On technology
The Ibanda District Farmers’ Association chairperson, Dr Ferdinand Bitanihirwe, called on farmers to adopt appropriate technologies to help improve production and become competitive.
“Technology plays a big role in agriculture today. When applied well along the whole value chain, from production to post-harvest handling and marketing, the rewards are immense,” he said.
Bitanihirwe emphasised the importance of continuous farmers’ training and personal research, saying farmers would learn and understand new sector trends and technologies they can use to improve their enterprises.
