MBARARA - Prof. Alex Ariho, the founding director of Excel Hort Consult Agribusiness incubator (EHCAI) an agro-business incubator in Migamba Hills, Mbarara City North Division has advised farmers to embrace the practice of the Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture model.

He says this will ensure that farmers can contribute to climate change mitigation, adapt to climate change, and reduce production risks.

Ariho, also the CEO of African Agribusiness Incubations Network, based in Ghana revealed in an interview.

According to Ariho, it is possible for the country and Ugandans to address issues of poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity in the context of the Government of Uganda’s new drive Parish Development Model (PDM) by tackling the poverty of the mind, noting that most people are still stuck in using traditional methods.

“The rate at which we are producing in bed is not the same way the land is producing and increasing. We need to think about how we maximize the little land that we have and think about the market and look at what is going to be marketable and you start with that product. We also need to change the technologies, and the way you do things, for instance here at EHCAI. We have small land but we are able to do urban farming that includes fish farming in a hilly place,” he said.

Ariho added, “Farmers need to be innovative in land management and water harvest technologies to improve farming and productivity. We need to train them on urban farming and other small innovations to make them survive.  

They need to look after the enterprise very well in terms of paying attention to detail, using appropriate technology and management to feed a particular market.”

He explained that EHCAI collaborates with Universities, Farm institutes, and other institutions to train students, and the youth in communities on best farming practices, technology, and the market as well as talent and skill development. 

They get hands-on training, give them resources, and graduate after six months of training at the farm.

Small land use and better farming management 

“We are promoting tree gardening called food forest modal because we want to conserve the environment and make sure that there is food security. You can grow vegetables in the compound and get money,” he added. 

Identify varieties

Prof. Ariho advised farmers to also identify varieties that have high potential both local and international market. 

He said farmers under Uganda banana producer’s cooperative union have already established about 15 banana varieties with potential market and returns.