Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, has praised the Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) for successfully organizing the second National Agriculture Education show. Nabbanja officiated the closing ceremony of the six-day education show, which took place from July 10, 2023, at the source of Nile showground in Jinja city.
The education show, initiated by UNFFE last year, aimed to equip young people with modern farming techniques. The objective was to empower youths aged 0-39 years to become job creators in the agricultural sector.
More than 11,000 learners from various schools in Uganda participated in this year’s education show, which had the theme “Empowering young agri-preneurs.” Activities included learning modern agricultural methods, school quizzes, and symposiums.
During her speech, Nabbanja commended the initiative and praised UNFFE, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Education and Sports for establishing the education show. She believes that innovative young people will contribute to the country’s development and transform their own lives.
Nabbanja was inspired by the diversity and creativity demonstrated by the agri-preneurs. She acknowledged their innovative skills and knowledge in using agricultural waste for fertilizers and disease control methods, which can help address human diseases like cancer caused by acaricides used to spray animals.
The prime minister emphasized the increasing need for food production due to the rapidly growing global population. She highlighted that the demand for food creates a larger market for agricultural products, not only in Uganda but also worldwide. Nabbanja noted that President Museveni’s efforts in expanding the East African Community have further increased the market by allowing individuals from Jinja or any part of Uganda to directly transact business with any East African country, opening up a market of over 300 million people. She emphasized the importance of value addition to agricultural products.
Nabbanja urged UNFFE to promote farmer education by providing training, workshops, and educational materials to farmers and learners. She recognized the agricultural sector as a major driver of economic, food security, and poverty eradication in the country.
Colonel Damuzungu Oguli from Uganda’s growth Operation Wealth Creation stressed the need for an organization or ministry to follow up on the innovative practices carried out by students. He emphasized that such a ministry should provide direct funding and maintain records of the exhibitors. Damuzungu also advocated for the continuous presence of the East African Community in the education show, allowing Ugandan students to share knowledge and skills while inspiring others. He called for government support for UNFFE’s commendable work in promoting agriculture in Uganda.
Dr. Dick Kamuganga, President of UNFFE, further asserted that agriculture should be made a compulsory subject in schools to promote the agricultural sector in Uganda. He expressed the organization’s commitment to ensuring active participation of the younger generation in agriculture.
