By Willy Chowoo, Masaka
The negative impacts of industrialized agriculture, where harmful chemicals are used as fertilizers and pesticides, are directly affecting small-scale farmers in Uganda, despite their vital role as food providers.
Hybrid seeds used in conventional agriculture are highly susceptible to climate change effects such as floods, pests, and diseases. Additionally, the high cost of agricultural inputs makes them unaffordable for many small-scale farmers. This is not the case with indigenous seeds, which are more resistant to changing climatic conditions and most diseases. Traditional crops have survived without modern pesticides and fertilizers, making them key contributors to food and nutrition security, particularly for small-scale farmers.
To transition from the current food system, farmers in Uganda have been urged to embrace organic farming as a way to combat climate change, which has rendered conventional farming unsustainable.
This call was made by Ms. Naume Kalinaki, Acting Program Officer for Livelihood Development at the Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF-Uganda), during a field visit by students from the Agroecology School for Journalists and Communicators to organic farms in Masaka District, Southern Uganda.
Organic farming, also known as ecological farming, is an agricultural system that uses organic fertilizers such as compost, green manure, and bone meal while emphasizing sustainable techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting.
Ms. Kalinaki stated that the increasing effects of climate change have made conventional farming unsustainable for many small-scale farmers, as they cannot afford mechanization. She urged farmers to adopt agroecology as a sustainable farming approach that does not deplete the soil or exploit farmers.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines agroecology as a holistic and integrated approach that applies ecological and social principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Ms. Kalinaki noted that many farmers have abandoned agroecological farming due to the promotion of cash crops, only to realize that such farming requires costly inputs that deplete soil nutrients. She also pointed out that many pests and diseases are introduced through imported hybrid seeds or those bred in local research institutions.
She urged farmers to use indigenous seeds, which are climate-resilient and less susceptible to pests and diseases compared to hybrid varieties. She emphasized that traditional crops have historically survived these challenges and remain more resilient.
ESAFF-Uganda is a farmer-led movement that facilitates smallholder farmers’ development efforts. The organization operates in 54 districts across Uganda and has reached over 380,000 small-scale farmers through initiatives focused on movement building, food sovereignty, economic empowerment, and agricultural financing.
Rearing Red Worms to Produce Organic Fertilizers
At the St. Jude Family Projects Rural Training Centre for Sustainable Integrated Organic Agriculture in Musene village, Masaka District, small-scale farmers are receiving training in organic farming, particularly in mushroom cultivation, vermiculture, permaculture, kitchen gardening, and food processing.
Mr. Ampeire Alexander, a trainer at the center, said they are encouraging farmers to embrace organic farming as it maintains soil health and produces high-quality food. “We provide training for farmers and farmer groups on organic farming as the best practice for ensuring food security and good nutrition,” he said.
The center is engaged in rearing red worms, or vermiculture, to produce organic fertilizers, including vermicompost and Vermiliquid, which are used in kitchen gardening projects. The farmers collect Vermitea (worm tea) and vermicompost as liquid and compost manures, respectively, to replace industrial fertilizers. Vermicompost is the excreta of earthworms, rich in humus, while worm tea is a natural liquid fertilizer made from soaking worm castings in water.
Mr. Ampeire stated that rearing red worms is cost-effective and beneficial for producing MPK fertilizer, which contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—essential nutrients for plant growth. “Earthworms are a farmer’s best friend. They naturally produce MPK, eliminating the need to buy chemical fertilizers,” he noted.
Mr. Senoga Duncan, Assistant Trainer at St. Jude Family Projects, warned against using industrial fertilizers, stating that they are harmful to both soil and human health. “Industrial fertilizers are made from chemicals that not only affect soil fertility but also enter the human body through food consumption, causing health issues,” he explained.
A kilogram of red worms sells for Sh50,000, and they multiply quickly. Besides producing manure, the worms are also used as poultry feed.
Farmers Speak About Organic Farming
Mr. Musaka Fred Ggwayabade, 62, an experienced farmer from Kasaana Cell, Masaka City, has been practicing organized farming since the 1990s. He has installed an Eco-Sun Latrine at his home to produce organic fertilizer from human waste, including urine, for his crops. “I no longer buy fertilizers. This organic fertilizer has significantly improved my crop yields,” he said.
Mr. Ggwayabade also uses charcoal dust, sawdust, and grass to produce compost manure for his garden. On his six-acre farm, he practices polyculture, growing a variety of crops such as coffee, bananas, fruits, and honey.
The Kwegetta Gemanyi Community Group, a farmer’s cooperative in Komanya B Village, Masaka District, is also embracing organic farming, focusing on white yam cultivation. Mirember Florence, a group member, said that organic farming has allowed them to supply high-quality crops to the market and access better business opportunities. “I encourage farmers to adopt organic farming because the demand for organic products is very high, and it helps prevent diseases linked to chemical-laden foods,” she said.
Mr. Kisekka Ibrahim, chairperson of Kayijja Pineapple Producer Group in Bulando Ward, Masaka City, said his group turned to organic farming after receiving training from ESAFF. He added that they have since trained five other groups, recognizing that organic farming ensures natural food production while maintaining soil health.
Ms. Kalinaki, ESAFF-Uganda’s Acting Program Officer for Livelihood Development, emphasized that if farmers adopt agroecology, their productivity and health will improve significantly in the next five to ten years. “We will have healthier families, improved livelihoods, and increased productivity because agroecology requires low inputs but yields high results,” she concluded
This story was originally published in 2023
