Experts root for holistic agriculture risk management to boost production

KAMPALA - Technocrats are calling for a Holistic Agriculture Risk Management Approach so as to tackle challenges affecting the agriculture sector from all fronts and boost production.

According to Dr. Richard Miiro, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Extension and Innovations Studies at Makerere University, by expanding access, Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) aims to strengthen the capacity of thousands of farmers indirectly through their service providers.

Dr. Miiro was speaking on Tuesday during a workshop held at Grand Global Hotel in Kampala, with the goal of empowering participants mostly from private entities to help farmers proactively assess and manage risks across the agricultural value chain.

The two-day training workshop also aimed at equipping private sector agricultural extension workers and youth-led agribusinesses with skills in holistic agricultural risk management (HARM).

“Farmers face challenges ranging from climate-related risks such as droughts and landslides to pests, diseases, and market uncertainties.  Through this training, we want to move beyond reacting to problems after they occur. Early planning and integrated solutions are essential for sustainable farming,” Dr. Miiro, Chairperson of UFAAS, added.

He explained that the two-day initiative builds on training previously conducted for 293 government agricultural extension officers, though this marks the first time such an opportunity is offered to private sector actors, particularly youth-led agribusinesses.

Dr. Evans Nakhokho, General Manager for Agriculture, Microfinance, and SME at Centenary Bank, emphasised the role of partnerships in supporting farmers for a more productive agricultural sector.

“Collaborations allow us to understand the needs of our customers and partners. Through financial literacy, access to credit, insurance, and integrated value chain solutions, we can help farmers manage risks effectively while ensuring financial services remain sustainable,” he said.

He further added that insurance products, when designed correctly, benefit multiple stakeholders across the entire value chain, not banks alone.

“Insurance should protect both the farmer who has invested in production and the financial institution, which has provided financing. When insurance responds to the needs of all actors in the value chain, everyone benefits,” he said.

Beatrice Luzobe, the UFAAS Chief Executive Officer, described the forum as a national platform that brings together actors from public and non-public sectors, including civil society, farmer organisations, research institutions, and private companies.

“Our members come from all fields of agriculture, from crops and livestock to nutrition and environment, and range from certificate holders to PhD graduates. This workshop is a milestone.

It’s just the beginning of a process to strengthen agricultural risk management across Uganda. By training private sector extension workers, we equip them to guide farmers, improve productivity, and reduce losses caused by unforeseen risks,” she said.

During the two days of training, participants will learn strategies including selecting high-quality seeds and livestock, adopting proper management practices, complying with regulatory requirements, and safeguarding assets against theft.

The two-day training, supported under the Platform for Holistic Agricultural Risk Management (PARM), is expected to create ripple effects across Uganda’s agricultural sector.

By strengthening the capacity of extension workers and youth-led agribusinesses, UFAS hopes to improve agricultural resilience, promote agro-industrialisation, and enhance market linkages for farmers.

According to Beatrice Luzobe, this is not just a training; it’s a culture shift as they build a proactive mindset in the sector, so that both farmers and those who support them can plan effectively and respond to challenges before they become crises.