Agroecology in full bloom

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Hotel Africana fairground recently buzzed with colour, songs and innovation as farmers, youth groups and cooperatives gathered for a week-long exhibition of foods, some of which are on the verge of extinction.

The event, organised to mark Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda’s 30th anniversary, showcased how far the country’s agroecology movement has come in transforming the way farming is done.

Graced by service providers, experts and cultural enthusiasts, the fair turned into a celebration of ingenuity and resilience.

On display were a variety of value-added products that included honey, herbal cosmetics, malewa (bamboo shoots), ghee, soya snacks, millet flour, sorghum beverages and handmade crafts.

PELUM has been at the forefront of this transformation — connecting communities, training farmers and promoting ecological practices that enrich the soil and improve resilience against climate change.

The organisation’s 30-year journey mirrors Uganda’s growing commitment to a cleaner, fairer and a self-reliant food system.

Agroecology takes root

In his keynote message delivered by Joshua Mutambi, the commissioner processing and marketing at the trade ministry, minister Francis Mwebesa, applauded the prevailing efforts to link farmers, researchers and private actors.

“The ministry applauds your efforts to foster business collaboration through partnerships, networking and strengthening small enterprises in the agro-ecological sector. Such initiatives are essential to transform the entire food chain and generate inclusive growth,” Mutambi said.

He emphasised that the ministry’s policies are aligned to support environmentally sustainable industrialisation, technology transfer and trade diversification.

These efforts, he added, align with Uganda’s Vision 2040, which envisions a prosperous and resilient economy. Globally, the organic food market is booming, valued between $254b and $318b and projected to reach nearly $500b by 2030.

Diversity of processed agricultural products graced the fare at Hotel Africana.

Uganda, long recognised as Africa’s organic agriculture pioneer, is well-positioned to tap into this opportunity.

The agroecology journey

At the fair, farmers from central, eastern and western Uganda talked about change and pointed at the soil.

The message was where once the reflex response to pests or poor yields was to buy more chemicals, today’s innovators are rebuilding soil life, diversifying crops and blending traditional wisdom with modern science.

This is the essence of agroecology— a movement that has grown from scattered grassroots initiatives into a coordinated force shaping Uganda’s food security.

The journey began in the 1990s and early 2000s, when pioneering organisations such as the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) provided the first platforms for farmers to address low-input methods and market certified organic produce.

From there, agroecology is evolving from focusing mainly on exports to embracing a broader philosophy.

This links biodiversity, social justice and climate resilience into one framework. Universities such as Makerere are now teaching agroecological principles, and non-government organisations are preaching climate-smart and low-cost techniques at the village level.

Consequently, agroecology is no longer an experiment, it has become an organised movement influencing national policy and practice.

Drivers of change

Organisations such as PELUM, ESAFF Uganda and Slow Food Uganda are leading the shift from chemical-dependent agriculture to knowledge-intensive, community-driven farming.

Through farmer-to-farmer exchanges, they teach practices like intercropping, crop rotation, composting, push-pull pest management and on-farm seed banking.

The PELUM country coordinator, Josephine Akia, revealed that agroecology is an approach that blends ecological science with social and economic principles, is gaining traction across Uganda.

“It emphasises practices such as crop diversification, intercropping, composting, mulching and the use of organic fertilisers and bio-pesticides. These techniques restore soil fertility, reduce dependency on chemical inputs, and build resilience to climate shocks such as drought and floods,” said Akia.

Agroecology is not just about farming — it’s about community. Farmers are building knowledge networks where they learn from one another instead of relying solely on costly external inputs.

The social impact is equally profound. Women and youth, who are often left out of conventional agricultural models have found new leadership and income opportunities.

Many have started small enterprises producing herbal teas, organic cosmetics and indigenous seed varieties.

In some regions, agroecological plots have shown higher resilience to dry spells and pest outbreaks than conventional farms.

Improved soil organic matter and diversified cropping systems have reduced the need for expensive fertilisers and pesticides.

Challenges

Yet, despite its promise, the path toward a national agroecological transition remains steep.

Farmers still struggle to access quality organic inputs, reliable markets and affordable financing.

Agricultural policies, though slowly shifting, remain skewed toward high-input, export-oriented systems.

“Farmers need advice tailored to soil health, biodiversity and local resilience, not just yield maximisation,” said John Ecodu, a participant, from Soroti.

Policy gaps persist and agroecology’s integration into national frameworks remains fragmented. Fortunately, regional networks are stepping in to fill the void.

The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and other continental coalitions are advocating public investment in soil health, farmer learning networks and research aligned to local agroecological zones.

The commercial case for agroecology is gaining traction. Uganda’s reputation for high quality organic exports — from coffee, cotton, oilseeds to sesame — are evidence of the fact that ecological methods can be profitable.

Many farmers now produce for both international markets and local organic consumers, creating a dual-value system that rewards sustainability.

At the fair, exhibitors proudly displayed eco-friendly packaging and branding — proof that Ugandan micro, small and medium enterprises are ready to compete regionally and globally.

With rising consumer awareness of health and sustainability, agroecological products are now commanding higher prices.

Action points

As Uganda looks ahead, the question is no longer whether agroecology works, but how fast it can be scaled up.

For this revolution to become a mainstream reality, three key actions are essential:

 

• Strengthen farmer networks to aggregate produce, knowledge and market power.
• Align research and extension services with agroecological indicators — soil health, diversity and resilience, instead of short-term yield.
• Introduce supportive policies and financing tools that reward ecological stewardship and long-term investment in land regeneration.

 

If these align, agroecology could redefine Uganda’s agricultural landscape — offering a model that restores ecosystems, empowers farmers, and delivers nutritious food sustainably.

As PELUM celebrates 30 years, its message resonates beyond the fairgrounds of Hotel Africana: the future of farming lies not in chemicals or machines, but in knowledge, community and care for the soil.