Farmers' election manifesto launched

Nov 02, 2015

FARMERS across the country want the next government to address a wide range of issues in the agricultural sector according to ‘The National Farmers' Manifesto 2016 and Beyond'

By Francis Emorut

 

FARMERS across the country want the next government to address a wide range of issues in the agricultural sector according to ‘The National Farmers' Manifesto 2016 and Beyond' which was launched in Kampala.   

 

The manifesto assembled by farmers and civil society actors states priority areas the next government that comes to power after the 2016 elections should tackle.

 

The farmers' manifesto for farmers and the agricultural sector in Uganda was launched by the state minister of animal industry Bright Rwamirama at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

 

Highlighting the key priority areas Polly Apio a farmer from Katakwi underlined the priority areas as water for production, agricultural extension and research, agricultural financing, market access and cooperatives as well as strengthening regulation on agro inputs.

 

Under water for production, Apio pointed out that continued total dependence on rain fed agriculture is the main contributor to low agricultural productivity and therefore, is the number one national issue.

 

She called for the expeditious implementation of water for agriculture production policy framework, undertaking of irrigation technologies in each district and build a monitoring framework for the supply, utilization and management of water for crops.

 

As regards agricultural extension and research farmers observed that agricultural extension, research and advisory services are vital in rural development.

 

They called for a clear strategy of addressing the issue of agriculture extension services after the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) was disbanded.

 

"The confusion surrounding the extension system of agriculture in Uganda is of concern to all farmers from all regions. In addition, there is confusing regarding the role Uganda People's Defence Force plays in extension services," Charles Ogang the president of Uganda National Farmers Federation said.

 

He demanded for the removal of UPDF from extension services and revival of the old extension services at every parish level.

 

On the aspect of research, the farmers want involvement at different levels including inception, participation and sharing of research findings as well as promoting farmer field schools.

 

Marcellinus Bbale a farmer from Kiruhura district called for promotion of the use and adoption of indigenous knowledge in modern scientific research.  

 

Geoffrey Kakooza a farmer from Kayunga outlined demands of farmers concerning agricultural financing such as reviving the farmers' cooperatives and banks for cheap access to credit, reducing taxes on agricultural products and setting up a framework for dialogue between agricultural entrepreneurs and financial institutions.

 

About market access and cooperatives Charles Olweny a farmers’ activist with Action Aid Uganda said there is absence of information about available markets for particular produce.

 

"This leads farmers to succumb to low commodity prices due to the perishability of a number of their primary produce," Olweny said.

 

He called for improved market access and delivery of market information to all actors in the sectors and investment should be made to improve the storage and market structure to help preserve the quality of produce for marketing and processing.

 

The farmers asked the next government to reduce marketing costs for households in more remote areas and to help farmers benefit more from commercialization.

 

Concerning strengthening regulation on agro inputs, farmers observed that the sale of counterfeit agricultural inputs was rampant and therefore there is need for strong regulation to punish the culprits involved.

 

"Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should be mandated to deal with unscrupulous dealers of fake agricultural inputs on the market and arrest and prosecute people dealing in fake agro inputs and products," Jeff Wedulo the executive director of Jenga Afrika said.

 

Rwamirama welcomed the manifesto and said it was a good document and supported the setting up of agricultural banks to help farmers' access cheap credit but rejected the idea of UPDF being pulled out of Operation Wealth Creation.

 

"You can't remove UPDF from agricultural extension services because they are not there," Rwamirama said.

 

He said government is coming up with a single spine system to address the agricultural extension services.

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