During the 6th Annual National Organic Week (NOW) 2024, small-scale farmers in Uganda made a pivotal declaration reaffirming their commitment to agroecology and organic farming as essential practices for preserving the environment, protecting indigenous seeds, and promoting sustainable food systems. Convened by the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF), the event brought together 875 participants, including farmers, policymakers, and civil society organizations, to explore how organic agriculture can drive sustainable development across eight districts.
The participants recognized Uganda’s challenges, such as food insecurity, environmental degradation, intensive farming, and climate change, while acknowledging the ongoing efforts to shift towards organic farming practices. Small-scale organic farmers face hurdles, including competition from inorganic producers, poor infrastructure, low demand, and costly certification processes. Despite this, they remain leaders in promoting agroecology, which supports biodiversity, soil health, water conservation, and climate resilience.
The farmers welcomed the government’s National Organic Agriculture Policy (NOAP) and the development of the National Agroecology Strategy (NAS), highlighting these as key steps toward transforming Uganda’s food system into a healthier and more sustainable model. They called for stronger policy support, increased investment in agroecological extension services, and enhanced training for extension service providers.
In their declaration, the farmers expressed their commitment to continue preserving indigenous seeds and foods, promoting fair markets for organic products, protecting farmers’ rights to resources, and scaling up agroecological practices through knowledge-sharing. They urged consumers, the media, and the broader society to support local organic products and small-scale farmers in their mission to build a resilient and just food system for future generations.