swagen.orgswagen.org/assets/docs/ThefutureofFamilyFarming.docx · Web viewCAADPComprehensive Africa Agriculture Development program. DSIPDevelopment strategy and Investment Plan

The Future of Family Farming In Uganda:Policy and Practice

Farmer Training Conference

22nd April 2016 Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research Development

Institute (MZARDI)

ACRONYMS

CAADP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development program

DSIP Development strategy and Investment Plan

EAC Inter Church Organization for Development Organization

FAO Food and Agricultural Organization

GDP Gross Domestic Product

MAAIF Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries

MP Member of Parliament

NGOs Non Governmental Organization

SEATINI Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute

UNFP United Nations Population Fund

VEDCO Volunteer Efforts for Development Concerns

Farmer Training Conference on Policy and Practice: Future of Family Farming, 22nd April 2016, MZARDI

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CONTENT

ACRONYMS..................................................................................................................................................2

CONTENT.....................................................................................................................................................3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................4

1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................5

1.1 Background........................................................................................................................................5

1.2 Objectives..........................................................................................................................................5

2.0 SESSION ONE: THE CONTEXT.................................................................................................................6

2.1 Welcome Remarks.............................................................................................................................6

2.2 An Overview of IYFF +10....................................................................................................................6

2.3 Opening Remarks..............................................................................................................................9

3.0 SESSION TWO: POLICY AND CHALLENGES TO FAMILY FARMING.........................................................10

3.1 Agricultural Policy and the Farmer in Uganda; Where is the Missing Link?.....................................10

3.2 Land Governance, Opportunities and Challenges of Corporate Take Over of Land.........................13

3.2 Testimony of Bugala Farmers’ Experience with BIDCO....................................................................14

3.3 Plenary Session Testimony..............................................................................................................14

4.0 SESSION THREE: MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND MINSDET CHANGE.................................................20

4.1 Agricultural Chemicals: Friends or Foe by Dr. Ogaram....................................................................20

Question and Answer.....................................................................................................................22

4.2 Banana Production and General Management................................................................................23

4.3 Mindset and lifestyle Change needed for doing Family Farming as a Business...............................25

4.4 Proposed Way Forward...................................................................................................................27

4.5 Closing Remarks......................................................................................................................27

ANNEX.......................................................................................................................................................28

Annex I: Memorandum for Family Farmers...........................................................................................28

...............................................................................................................................................................35

Annex II: Agenda....................................................................................................................................36

Annex III: List of Attendees..........................................................................................................37


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

World Rural Forum sponsored and launched the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), a campaign to designate 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming in 2010 at the Farmers Forum in Rome. After having inspired and organized the IYFF-2014 for the civil society, the World Rural Forum (WRF) agreed to extend the campaign for another 10 years, and it is called IYFF+10. In Uganda IYFF+10 is spearheaded by a National Committee comprising various civil organizations and is coordinated by Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN). Uganda prepared a matrix of activities and timelines to be achieved in this decade.

It is against this back ground that the organizing committee put together a farmer training conference on 22nd April 2016 at Mukono Zonal Agricultural District Research Institute (MZARDI) whose theme was “The Future of Family Farming : Policy and Practice” . 103 people (69 males and 34 females) attended the bilingual conference (English and Luganda) comprising of farmers from various districts in Uganda, representatives from the civil society, journalists, and Government officials. The conference was officially opened by Ms. Connie Acayo, the Officer responsible for IYFF + 10 at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (MAAIF). Sessions in the conference comprised of presentations on Agricultural Policy and corporate takeover of land, while training sessions were centered around Crop management practices specifically Banana, Livestock Management, Hazards of Agricultural Chemicals as well as change of mindset and lifestyle as a prerequisite to doing family farming as a business. These sessions were punctuated with plenary sessions.

One of the out puts of the conference was a conference report and a Memorandum from family farmers to the Gates Foundation highlighting issues and demands by family farmers to which all members present appended their signature.


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http://foodtank.org/resources/792/Organizations/International_Year_of_Family_Farming

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background

The International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) was inspired by The World Rural Forum to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focusing world attention on it. The goal is to reposition it at the centre of national agendas by identifying gaps and opportunities to promote a shift towards a more equal and balanced development.

Several stakeholders in the International Year of Family Farming 2014 (IYFF 2014) met in Brasilia to evaluate the performance towards achievement of the objectives. They came to an agreement that there was unfinished business to be catered for, and therefore requested the UN to declare 2014 – 2024 a decade for Family Farming. This campaign is called IYFF+10 and, through its global framework for action it continues working alongside the Family Farming National Committees. After having inspired and organized the IYFF-2014 for the civil society, at the end of 2014, Uganda prepared a matrix of activities and timelines to be achieved in this decade

It is against this back ground that the organizing committee put together a farmer training conference on 22nd April 2016 at Mukono Zonal Agricultural District Research Institute (MZARDI) whose theme was “The Future of Family Farming : Policy and Practice” . 103 people (69 males and 34 females) attended the conference comprising of farmers from various districts in Uganda, representatives from the civil society, journalists, and Government officials.

1.2 Objectives The objectives of the of the conference were

I) To highlight the role of all stakeholders especially farmers in the formulation of the agricultural policies and provide

II) To train farmers in crop and livestock management practices as well sensitize farmers on hazards and proper management of agricultural chemicals

III) To influence mindset and attitude of farmers regarding embracing family farming as a business so as to improve their livelihoods.


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2.0 SESSION ONE: THE CONTEXT James Kayingo from VEDCO chaired this session. It commenced with a word of prayer from Pastor Robert Sagula and thereafter the participants introduced themselves.

2.1 Welcome Remarks Ms. Agnes Kirabo from Food Rights Alliance welcomed the participants to the conference and expressed delight at the fact that the event provided a platform for family farmers to discuss their issues. She also noted a shift in perception of family farmers as a group that cannot develop to one whose role in feeding the nation, reducing unemployment can no longer be underplayed.

She however highlighted the opportunities for farmers to participate at the decision making table as the missing link. Ms. Agnes Kirabo emphasized the need for farmers to be part of decision making process, inform practices and influence policies that affect them.

She further on encouraged the participants to use the event to highlight pertinent issues, and at the end of the day include these issues in a petition or memorandum of family farmers to which all participants should append their signatures. She implored them to indicate in the petition the need for Members of Parliament to pay taxes given that family farmers contribute to the tax basket despite their meager income. The taxes paid by MPs will help improve services directly linked to farmers such as the 4 Billion Uganda shillings needed for extension workers.

2.2 An Overview of IYFF +10 Ms. Gertrude Kenyangi from SWAGEN gave an overview of IYFF+10. She commenced her remarks by thanking the farmers for honoring the invitation despite the fact the rainy season is usually a busy season for them.

She applauded the national committee members for their tireless efforts and provision of resources to propel activities for IYFF namely : Food Rights Alliance (FRA), World Rural Forum, Uganda Environment Education, Foundation, Virtual Livelihood School Africa (VSLA), Uganda National Farmers Federation ( UNFFE) , Eastern and Southern Africa African Farmers Federation, AgriProFocus , Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN), Consumer Education Trust (CONSENT), Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa ( AFSA) , Inter Church Organization for Development Organization(ICCO),)National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU),Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM), Uganda Land Alliance , African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), African Union Conservationists (AUC), Send A Cow Uganda, World Vision, Trocaire, Uganda Fisheries and Fish Conservation Association. Farmer Training Conference on Policy and Practice: Future of Family Farming, 22nd April 2016, MZARDI

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“A world free of hunger and malnutrition is possible, my actions and your actions count!” Ms. Agnes Kirabo (FRA).

If a rural farmer were to strike, we would bring down the Government of Uganda g despite all the tear gas there is. It is therefore important that we deman that services are directed to our rural farmers” Ms. Gertrude Kenyangi (SWAGEN) .

Farming was defined by the United Nations as, “a means of organizing agricultural, forestry, fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production which is managed and operated by a family, both female and male. The family and the farm are linked, co-evolve and combine economic, environmental, reproductive, social and cultural functions.”

Unfortunately, extensive hunger and malnutrition pervade the world with over 900 million people going hungry, a most of who are small farmers, agricultural laborers and traditional fishers in developing nations.

For a variety of reasons, many great Governments do not offer support to the rural sector despite the fact that in many cases this hosts a very high percentage of their nation’s population, land and water resources. The lack of all kinds of infrastructure, the absence of technical assistance, of access to credit and to markets renders true rural development impossible. However, the World Bank itself in its report "Global Development: Agriculture for Development" 2008, states that GDP growth originating in agriculture is twice as effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth generated in other sectors.

The progressive deterioration of farming income and its effects on rural economies is causing the disappearance of many family farms due to migration to urban areas. In consequence, the share of rural dwellers in world population declined from 86% in 1900 to 52% in 2001.

Family farming is on a massive scale in developing countries is currently subject to great challenges and serious uncertainties. For example many youth in Uganda have sold of their land in rural areas and migrated to urban areas to take on unsustainable ventures such as riding motorcycles (“boda bodas”).

The United Nations in December 2011 declared 2014 the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF-2014) so as to create real hope for progress and for the quality of rural life, as well as to Farmer Training Conference on Policy and Practice: Future of Family Farming, 22nd April 2016, MZARDI

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3 billion people currently live in the world's rural areas, of these 2.5 billion, are farmers while several hundred million are agricultural labourers.

More than 40% rural households at world level depend on farming while more than 1.5 billion rural inhabitants work.

404 million plots measuring less than 5 acres in size, the majority measuring less than 2.5 acres.

Less than 20 million of the world's rural population is involved in industrial agriculture.

honor the demands from the community of nations. Several National Committees were formed worldwide to spearhead the celebrations and in Uganda, the IYFF was launched on 23rd

November 2013 on the eve of the global launch in 2013. The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and the Uganda FAO Resident Country Representative were among the many guests who graced the occasion.

At the end of 2014, several stakeholders in the International Year of Family Farming 2014 (IYFF 2014) met in Brasilia to evaluate the performance towards achievement of the objectives and they all came to a consensus that there was still unfinished business, and therefore requested the UN to declare 2014 – 2024 a decade for Family Farming. Uganda prepared a matrix of activities and timelines to achieve the objectives in this decade and this Farmer Training Conference was one of them.

Following a meeting convened in Abu Dhabi on January 22nd 2014, Family Farming organizations agreed to five major demands:

Demand 1: Each nation should have the right to develop its own food production as the basis for Food Security on the way to achieving Food Sovereignty, taking into account climate change as one of the serious threats to Family Farming.

Demand 2: Governments must assume as an urgent priority the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests which they themselves approved within the Committee on Food Security (CFS). The implementation of the

Demand 3: In order to promote Family Farming, nations the majority of whose population is active in agriculture must proceed with the transparent and adequate allocation of financial resources to national agriculture budgets. The same criteria should apply to development aid and public investments on the basis of the meaningful participation of family farmers' organizations as well as other Civil Society entities.

Demand 4: Institute the equality of rights between men and women family farmers. Women who live and work in rural areas are frequently discriminated against in terms of equitable access to productive resources such as land, water, credit and extension services.


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Figure 1: Ms. Gertrude Kenyangi giving an overview on IYFF+10

“Family farming is a reality on the ground and impacts many lives, it is our way of life, culture and inheritance so we cannot do without it! When we address the concerns of agriculture in line with youth and women we will consequently boost family farming! However we need to reflect on what next after IYFF+10!”

We as a ministry pledge to have the Agricultural Extension policy implemented effectively but I also urge all stakeholders especially farmers to embrace it and collaborate so as to ensure its success !

Demand 5: Policies in favor of the insertion of youth in agriculture must be approved, taking into account that only genuine public support to Family Farming will make this profession attractive to them. Young people frequently do not have sufficient financial

National, regional and international farmers' organizations committed themselves to seek every opportunity to establish special dialogues with their Governments during IYYF-2014 in order to advance the demands set out above.

2.3 Opening Remarks The conference was officially opened by Ms. Connie Acayo the focal person of IYFF+10 in Uganda and Assistant commissioner for information and communication in MAAIF. She has also been instrumental in championing the drafting of an effective and efficient agricultural extension system in Uganda.

Ms. Connie Acayo was pleased by the fact that a conference had been convened to discuss family farming which is a pertinent issue in the growth of the national economy. She informed the farmers that she too is a family farmer and comes from a background of family farming. She noted that the current family farming related activities have been simplified compared to those in the past due to the introduction of technology such as milling machines.

Family farmers have played a key role in feeding the entire nation however it is important to note that the population of Uganda is growing by the day while the land size is not increasing.

Regarding the National Agricultural Policy, the popular version has been translated into four different local languages so far. Ms. Acayo pledged to have more copies printed and distributed.

She further informed the participants that the top management in charge of policy at MAAIF had seconded the National Agricultural Extension Policy on 17th of April 2016. She was delighted by the fact that for the first time in history, a policy had been drafted in the shortest period of three months whilst having consulted all stakeholders including farmers from 112 district of Uganda. The policy will finally be presented


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to the last cabinet meeting scheduled for 27th April 2016. This policy which has a major missing link in Agriculture will provide guidance on extension services and enable quality assurance. This financial year money to a tune of 181 million UGX has been disbursed to recruit extension staff (93 million UGX for each district). Efforts will also be made to facilitate the extension staff. This time round there will be an improvement in dissemination of information to farmers, for example using phones to deliver messages related to extension work so as to cover areas where extension staff cannot reach.

Ms. Connie Acayo expressed her desire to see an improvement in farmers’ livelihoods through embracing farming as a business and value addition e.g. during her recent visit to Korea she learnt that liquid sugar can be extracted from rice and cosmetics from orange peels. She emphasized the need to boost production through appropriate enterprise selection.

Since family farming employs a big part of the population, issues of migration of youth to urban areas should be addressed for example by taking walking tractors to the rural areas, introducing value addition opportunities to them and commercializing agriculture. Whereas 75% of the 80% small holder farmers are women, the men take charge of the finances and thence do more saving.

She pledged her commitment on behalf of MAAIF to work with farmers and to solicit the support of CAOs (Chief Administrative Officers) and District Production Officers during her next meeting with them. She then declared the workshop officially open.

3.0 SESSION TWO: POLICY AND CHALLENGES TO FAMILY FARMING This session was moderated by Ms. Agnes Kirabo, Food Rights Alliance.

3.1 Agricultural Policy and the Farmer in Uganda; Where is the Missing Link?Mr. Richard Mugisha, AgriProFocus applauded the national committee for IYFF+10 for appreciating the role that small holder farmers play in feeding the nation of Uganda and providing them with a platform for dialogue by convening the conference. He stated that


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Figure 2: Ms. Connie Acayo giving the opening remarks and emphasizing importance of value addition

Poverty is the greatest form of injustice to humanity on earth, however doing the extra ordinary within communities makes the difference

People will never remember us for how many times we have fallen down or made noise but for 2 things; solving a problem and adding value to them

Family farming is reflects a lifestyle based on beliefs and traditions about living and work

together. With passion, perceive, pursue and possess farming as a Business!

Richard Mugisha , AgriProFocus Uganda

there was a need for every great farming community and household farmer to make a choice to be successful.

His presentation highlighted the following:

Agriculture is Uganda’s dominant sector because it is a source of household livelihood over ¾ of the population, employment opportunities, source of security, source of energy, resource base for the country’s industrial sector, and the major role it plays role in economic growth and poverty reduction. Out of the 80% involved in agriculture, 5% are commercial farmers, 27% are semi-commercial farmer, while 68% constitute the smallholder (mostly subsistence) farmer where a woman plays a significant role.

Agricultural policies promote and protect citizens’ rights, ensure equal access and utilization of natural resources, reduce poverty levels, ensure food security and improve service delivery.

Policy Commitments in Agriculture

Vision 2040: commits to “a transformed Ugandan society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years –income enhancement”

NPD II; commits to “growth, employment and socio-economic transformation for prosperity-middle income, 2020”

National Agricultural Policy commits to “a competitive, profitable and sustainable agricultural sector” that will be realized by “transforming the sector from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture”.

Other policies include EAC Food Security Action Plan -2015-emphasizes storage and marketing, Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (draft)-wealth creation, Draft Seed Policy-farmer saved seed, Climate Change Policy(draft), Land Policy (approved)-tenure systems, Food and Nutrition Policy, National Policy on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (conservation and sustainable use) and Agriculture Extension Policy.


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Despite the existence and implementation of the above policies there is a missing link in boosting family farming in Uganda. Therefore Family farming is constrained by the following four aspects:

i) Participatory process; involvement of farmers in the decision making process and policy formulation is still not adequate

ii) Applicability of the policies e.g. DSIP I was not implemented because it was supposed to implement the CAADP yet this was developed at African Union level

iii) Relevancy; the streams of consultation from should include those of the affected people. A policy should be premised on experiences, aspirations and demands of the people it is going to serve

iv) Responsive: Lack of relevancy and applicability breed non responsiveness e.g. NAADS is perceived as a “Government thing” by some farmers.

Required Actions To Improve Farming

Category I.

Policy makers

Category II.

Non State Actors

Category III. Farmer (Men, Women & Youth)

Guarantee a high level of protection of human life and health and the protection of consumers’ interests.

Provide space and audience for consultation and meaningful engagement in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring

Participatory extension system, where farmers can learn and acquire knowledge that answers their farming aspirations

Continued awareness creation

Support policy engagement processes

Create more platforms for dialogues

Perceive agriculture as a business or career, give it your best

Form farmer groups, strengthen your voice

Involve Youth in production or entire value chain

Add value-attract market

Promote family solidarity and family business


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“A hungry stomach and empty pocket and a broken heart teach us the best lessons in life” Henry Kimera -CONSENT

3.2 Land Governance, Opportunities and Challenges of Corporate Take Over of Land Mr. Henry Richard Kimera, CONSENT delivered a presentation titled “Land Governance, Opportunities and Challenges, and Corporate Takeover of Land”

Historically, land grabbing has been around since the slave trade regimes but it has escalated since the onset of the global crisis.

In spite of the underlying notion that it is done for the good of the citizens and for enhancing trade, it has negatively impacted people’s lives especially in the case of farmers. Given the fact that land grabbing has negative economic, health, social effects on communities, a human rights aspect should be attached so that the basic rights of affected people are not abused e.g. communities in Buliisa and Kalangala.

Land grabbing also entails grabbing of water resources and natural resources which consequently results in food insecurity, reduction in national economic gains and incomes at household level. Investors are also affected by land grabbing due to reduction in income and ability to consume of the affected parties.

Civil Society play a significant role of alerting the Government the Government and private sector on the short and long term consequences of land grabbing. Farmer groups also have the responsibility of advocating and campaigning against it.

It has been argued that land grabbing hardly exists due to the underlying the aspects of compensation and resettlement however research has shown that the latter cannot offset the effect of land grabbing 100%. Studies and views from farmers play a big role in tracking and reflecting the actual impact of land grabbing

Most of the land grabbing is done by multi nationals who make deals with Government and private owners of land. The seriousness of this issue has prompted the world committee on food security in UNFP/FAO to set “The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security promote secure tenure rights and equitable access to land, fisheries and forests” as a means of eradicating hunger and poverty, supporting sustainable development and enhancing the environment. They were officially endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security on 11 May 2012. Unfortunately some of the guidelines are not mandatory however it is upon all stakeholders to domesticate them and use them to back up relevant cases. Some of the cases where UHRC and NAPE have intervened include those for land around Buliisa, Lake Kyoga and Bugala Island.


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One of the recent fruits of the campaign against land grabbing is the issue of Namulonge research station, this provides evidence that empowering people to campaign against land grabbing will help curb the vice.

3.2 Testimony of Bugala Farmers’ Experience with BIDCO“I and my colleagues were evicted from our pieces of land in 2001 by BIDCO .I had owned the land for thirty years at the time of eviction. By the time of eviction, I was in the process of cultivating the land. My colleagues and I were being offered a compensation fee of 250,000 UGX which we considered very little, so we took the case to court.

During one of the court hearings, they claimed that we were not the principal occupants of the land and that they only found isolated projects of charcoal burning. They later opted for out of court negotiations where they offered to compensate us. We however declined because we are no longer that strong to re establish all our investments and we are quite old to start all over again and regain all that we have lost. Since the out of court negotiations have failed we are waiting for the next court ruling. In case you hear over the news that we have appealed, it will be because we will not have gotten a fair hearing.

If somebody comes with the intention to grab my property, it means they are determined to use all means to grab it away from me. Therefore, my actions against them must be persistent and consistent. I have been threatened in various forms but I am still committed to fight this battle to the end”.

3.3 Plenary Session Testimony During this session, participants shared their experiences and status regarding the following three aspects:

i) Access to agric extension ( what is happening , have you heard of recruitment) ii) Land grabbing status – any cases , how you are using the land , iii) How are you participating in government policies , and programs

Summary of Emerging Issues and Action Points

The issues from Kalangala are trade issues. (Ms. Agnes Kirabo instructed the representative from SEATINI to gather resources to convene a trade and investment forum for farmers). A Legal aid service provider’s network should also be contacted to offer assistance.


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Ms. Agnes Kirabo also noted events about family farming and land are held separately she therefore pledged to rally her colleagues to convene a farmers land forum that will involve lawyers and other relevant stakeholders

Farmers should be empowered to hold the leaders especially the extension workers accountable

Extension workers still not reliable and in most instances they ask for facilitation For cases of land grabbing, farmers are frustrated by court processes due to illiteracy,

bribery, inequality and corruption Integrating extension services through zoning; there must be soil tests at almost every

farm, hence need for testing kits at sub-county level Farmers suggested an affirmative action approach to get Government’s attention e.g.

sit down strikes through stopping supply of foods to markets around the city Due to the previous experiences with NAADs officers , some farmers have a negative

perception towards extension workers Investors take advantage of the illiteracy and ignorance of some farmers to offer their

land to support out grower schemes e.g. in Busoga resulting in food insecurity Government should provide fertilizers especially to coffee farmers because promoting

export of coffee presents a “ new form of land grabbing” ( exports worth 4 m bags of coffee result in loss of 800 metric tons of phosphates ( 3.3 Kg of phosphates per 1000kg )

Discourage betting in order to reduce the population of idle youth, this will push them to venture into agriculture

The national land policy respects communal land as common property resource and so the national agricultural extension policy should not ignore this aspect. The extension worker sprays all animals in a communal place at one and any farmer who fails to bring their cattle is excluded thus promoting healthy livestock

District Access to Agriculture Extension Land Grabbing

Mayuge Extension workers have been recruited. However during a recent hand out of seeds by Operation Wealth Creation staff, extension workers were not present to follow up the beneficiaries some of whom were not farmers, so some of the beneficiaries eventually sold off the

There are 9 sugar manufacturing companies in Busoga, but only 7 are functional.

Only Kakira Sugar company has renewed their lease of 35 ha of land form Busoga Kingdom. The rest are depending on contract farming with framers by out-


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seeds. grower schemes characterized by loans for production at high interest rates. This has resulted in malnutrition, food insecurity. Families took on the initiative to solve their problems but now both children and their parents are all involved in sugar cane production

Kamuli There are no extension workers; it is only NGOs like VEDCO that have trained lead farmers who in turn train fellow farmers. As a result, Busoga farmers get low income and limited markets due to low quality maize.

Potential land grabbers they approach a prominent person to claim the land, when one goes to report the case to courts of law, they bribe the magistrate and then keep postponing the case. After some time they send people to coerce the land owner to sell the land

Oyam district

There is no agriculture extension; farmers basically depend on trainings by Young Farmer’s Coalition of Uganda.

Youth do not own land they use their elders land. Family farming is done on communal land.

A month ago, the Government wanted to grab Toshi land in Miene to establish a green house but the people put up a resistance Government backed off.

Alebtong district

Government has been recruiting 2 to 3 extension workers for the past three months at community / sub county level however there is a big gap between the farmers and extension workers because when they schedule meetings or trainings very few people turn up.

There is need to bridge the gap between scientists that carry out research and the farmers, the farmers should be promptly given updates.

Cases of land grabbing are not common and Government has not yet interfered with any piece of land


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Wakiso Extension workers are scarce , most of support in extension is offered by AFIRD

The extension service delivery should be decentralized to the grass roots. Veterinary doctors should train scouts to attend to simple cases. Training of trainers should be embraced in agriculture so as to bridge the gaps on extension.

LC1 meetings no longer take place this promotes top down planning approach as opposed to a bottom up

Land grabbing is mainly through conniving with loan officers, they avoid land owner during repayment time. Money lenders, family friends, SACCOs in communities to land office and steal the white page and eventually take the land title.

Land lords demand to share a percentage of the land as a result 10% of people in Wakiso own land but most farmers own only 1-2 acres

Kabale Land grabbing is a big problem not only in Kabale but in Uganda. From past experiences, policy makers and technocrats do not seem to understand the farmers’ language so farmers have to embrace aggressive advocacy skills such as affirmative action. Taremwa Ruhakana has spearheaded the formation of a pressure group comprised of 100 farmers called “Agriculture Now” that proposes a sit down strike to stop supplying food to markets around the city.

Kapchowra Extension farmers cannot have work to do if farmers land has been grabbed land.

Kapchowra is divided into low lands and mountainous areas. Due to cattle raids, most people left their land behind as the Government came in to offer security. Unfortunately as people tried to return to their land, they found out that the Government had leased some of it to multi nationals. There are 4 ongoing


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cases in the high court but they keep postponing and adjourning the cases. In some cases our colleagues in high positions took advantage of the situation to grab land and sell it.

Mubende Extension staff should be facilitated because whenever we call upon them they first ask for transport / facilitation while others are pre occupied with their personal side businesses.

Land grabbing is in high gear and the avenue commonly used to grab land is claiming that the directive is from the Presidents’ office. Land grabbers take advantage of the farmers’ illiteracy by telling them to sign off for a “proposed road or well”. Widows also are major victims of land grabbing because they find the court processes complicated. The saying in Mubende is “he who has more money wins the case” besides the land policy is not clear in some aspects such as if one has spent 20 years and more on a piece of land.

Mpigi There is need for provision of “first aid” reference in case of land grabbing. In Mpigi, an influential person clears a portion of land with a tractor , when land owner complains at the police , they open up a file for the case but after a few days , this influential person returns to clear the remaining portion of land without the police restraining them or intervening. Most farmers are intimidated by court processes.

Kalangala- The Government favors foreign investors and multinational companies by exempting them from tax and offering them land belonging to local farmers. When local CBOs and NGOs campaign against land grabbing, they


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oppress and intimidate them. Farmers have gone to court several times but they keep postponing the cases. Such platforms give us

Kiruhura We have never seen extension workers. Extension workers should be availed to offer training on how to get water for irrigation in Kiruhura due to semi arid nature and address the issue of transportation of agriculture produce given the to poor roads

Land grabbing cases are common but there is a lot of frustration in court because of bribery.

Jinja I bought land and Government is claiming that it is in the road reserve, but I wonder of Government will compensate me all my money , and if it does not then how do I get help?

Sironko Land in Sironko is fragmented so land grabbing is very minimal. The challenge however is the invasion of investors who are favored by Government is discouraging youth farmers w ho have ventured into agriculture

Gulu Extension workers are very few; Operation Wealth Creation staff (army men) has taken on the role of extension staff and agricultural production officer. When I found one of them seated in the seat of the production officer I asked them to leave and they apologized. This implies the farmers are the Government and they should take on their mandate to ensure that they get quality services.

Rural farmers cannot make use of the land policy because it is not in local language. Please translate it so that farmers are empowered to contend for their land.


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Atiak – Amuru

An investor has signed off an agreement with a land owner to get land to grow sugar cane however he was restricted to use that piece of land availed him. The locals are happy about the Atiak sugar being produced

Nakaseke Government extension workers are not there, farmers are benefiting from trainers of trainers bred by World Vision.

L.C 1 meetings no longer take place but they used to provide a good platform for publicizing and popularizing Policies Government programs

Land grabbing is rampant but people especially the youth are lazy, youth sell off their land and spend the money on boda bodas.

4.0 SESSION THREE: MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND MINSDET CHANGEThis session was moderated by Prudence Ayebare, UNFFE, and it entailed trainings in management practices for crop, agricultural chemicals and change of mindset

4.1 Agricultural Chemicals: Friends or Foe by Dr. OgaramDr. Ogaram a chemist and public health officer delivered a presentation on the agricultural chemicals, their adverse effects and proper management.

There are more than six million known chemicals of which sixty to seventy thousand are used in everyday lifestyle and 51,000 new chemicals being churned out per year. Chemicals are used throughout economic and life activities of every human being e.g. mining, agriculture, health and industry. However they are also hazardous and can result in fires, toxicity and explosions.

For example e.g. thalidomide (1958), was known worldwide, was discovered by a German. The drug was widely administered to pregnant women to control morning sickness, allay anxiety and promote sleep. It was discovered that the child born to the mother would be born without limbs thus it is teratogenic (affects offspring).

Storage of chemicals


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Example of a true life story on adverse effects of chemicals

A family in Kampala planted tomatoes for sale, both parents were civil servants so they would leave for work and leave the children with a house help. She run out of curry powder and noticed a packet of diathane stashed away in the kitchen racks , she used it as curry powder . The house help and one of the children died , the second child survived because she did not have appetite for food that day .

Poor storage can be hazardous e.g. If agro chemicals are stored badly, it can lead to contamination even food and poisoning. Some have been burnt by agricultural chemical when spraying

Types of chemicals : Chemical usage varies from petrochemicals to fertilizers, pesticides, industrial chemicals, synthetic, organic, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, solvents, and natural- synthetic (rubber ) e.t.c

Pesticides; a chemical used for destruction of a pest, some are insecticides, acaricides (kill mites), mollucides- snails, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, aboricides (kill shrubs and trees), nematicides for nematodes,

Common pesticides include:

a) Organo-phospates- bromphos, DDVP, malathion, diazinone, dursban , dimethoateb) Organochlorine: aldrin, BHC, lindane, Thiodan,Dieldrin,c) Carbamates: Dithane M45, Furadan Diathane M22.d) Pyrethrins/ pyrethroids: ambush, Ripcord

Inorganic chemicals e.g. shell copper, lead arsenate

Adverse Effects: Pesticides are toxic, can cause diseases and they kill because they hey have ability to damage living organisms

Pesticides have several types of effects

a. Acute (develops rapidly 0-5 days), b. Chronic (develops after long period) such as

allergenic, tumors, attack on immune-system, 50% of pesticides are mutagens for example they can even change the whole gene of a body e.g. fish male turned to female

Health Effects

a) Reproductive system ; they can alter it ; organo- mercurial pesticides affect endocrinal regulation of ovaries, can cause miscarriage , dysfunction of male gonads


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leading to sterility , trigger subtle changes in the chromosomes machinery, prohibition of implantation of embryos

b) Lungs : progressive pulmonary fibrosis e.g. gramoxone c) bronchitis, allergenic , asthmaGramoxone is used for control of weeds in plantation estates; exposure leads to suicidal ingestion, accidental, occupational ingestion, entry to body is through respiratory skin or ingestion through food

It affects lungs by causing pulmonary fibrosis, for the kidney it causes damage to tubules, l for the liver it causes scarring of liver tissue

Precaution

Avoid carelessness such as mixing pesticides with hands, adhere to rules on the labels and ensure use of complete protective gears.

Question and Answer Issue Response

1. I am a small scale farmer from Kumi district, there is a disease called black spot that is affecting orange fruits , no fungicide has treated it effectively

As habitats for for insects are destroyed , they move on to crops. Fruits flies rae resposnible for destroying thsoe oranges, they lay their eggs slightly after flowering , to avoid the effect , spryaing shoudl be done before flowering.

2. Please share the effects of DDT on human health and

Leave DDT alone , the developed countries have stopped using it due to its negative effects

3. I am a bee keeper, the chemicals not only affect humans but pollinators ( over 2000 exist ) . Does the agriculture policy address this aspect? Farmers shoudl be eductaed about importance of pollinators in the ecosystem

The chemicals are destroying the bees , be careful not to destroy the pollinators

4. Chemicals are toxic but we cant avoid them, some farmers have local alternatives, how can these be improved and promoted hrough research?

These have to be tested and approved by competent laboratories


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5. Some soils have lost fertility completely but e farmers complain that some fertilizers destroy fertility of soil, which ones are the recommeneded fertilizers?

some fertilizers can kill the soil ; there was a case in Wakiso where traders sold fake fertilisers that killed the soil and bananas.

6. Please clarify the difference between afflatoxin and agro chemicals

If you keep groundnuts in a humid place, they grows afflatoxin, nature has more toxic chemicals than what we humans make and afflatoxin is part of those

7. I use Gramoxone under a company - Hanzu chemicals that makes environemntally friendly chemicals approved by USAID.

Gramoxone is toxic despite the percentage; be careful about marketing language and ensurethat you use it in the right proportions with the right protective gear

4.2 Banana Production and General ManagementThis presentation was delivered by George Mugomba Kituuka

General crop management practices include timely planting/ early planting, good land preparation, use of improved Seeds and planting materials, use of recommended agronomic practices, pests and disease control/ management, soil fertility and water management/ improvement.

Banana:

Banana ranks highest among the most important food crops in Uganda. Its annual production is estimated at 8.45 million tons. It is the second most important cash crop and high yielding staple food (up to 60 tons/ha/yr). It is also rich in nutrients e.g. carbohydrates, fats, proteins, Ca, Fe, Vitamin A&C

Ecological Requirements

Deep fertile and free draining soils Medium to high rainfall areas (800mm – 2500 mm/anum) Moderate temperatures ( 270c -300c) Both low and high altitudes are favorable Wind shelter/ breaker since Bananas are highly susceptible to wind damage PH range of 5-6 to 7-5 is optimum


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Type of bananas and their respective cultivars include a) cooking Banana e.g. Kibuzi, Mpologoma, Kisansa, Nakitembe , b) Beer Banana e.g Kisubi, Kayinja, Mbidde, c) Roasting Banana e.g. Gonja Manjaya, Gonja Nakatansense d) Dessert Banana e.g Apple Banana, Bogoya.

PREPARATION OF SUCKERS FIELD PREPARATION, SPACING AND HOLE SIZE

PLANTING

Up root using a shape shovel to reduce damage to the mother plant

If maiden sucker, cut at about 15cm above the corn for easy transportation

All roots, outer layer of corm and leaf sheaths should be peeled off

As an additional treatment pared suckers dipped in hot water (52-550c) for 20min or a pesticide solution.

Land clearing Spray with herbicides to

eradicate noxious weeds e.g. Couch grass

Two ploughings are sufficient to provide a good seed bed

Field marking (3m x 3m / 10ft x 10ft)

Plant whole size is 60cm wide and 60 depth.

Planting should be done at the beginning of the rainy season

Soil should be mixed with organic manure be returning it in the hole.

Leaves about 4 inches unfilled for water collection and percolation into the soil

If corm used, should be buried completely in the soil

Plantation managemnet Activities Include; weed control, manure application, de-suckering/ sucker removal, de-leafing / leaf removal, bud removal , intercropping , soil and water management , pest and disease management

Control measures for Bacterial Wilt include:

Plant disease free planting materials Removal of male buds Disinfect tools used in the plantation Remove infected plants and destroy Rest land for not less than 2 years Use of tolerant varieties


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Take precautions while working in the plantation

Control of Weeds: Weeds compete with banana plants for nutrients and water. Methods for weed control include hand weeding; this is less destructive to the delicate banana roots and soil structure, hand hoe weeding, use of herbicide but should be done carefully, mulching using stems, dry grass and plant residues.

Soil Fertility Management : A large amount of soil nutrients goes into the fruit (bunch) , therefore regular application of manure is required. Sources of organic fertilizers include; crop residues (bean hulls and stalks), other plant residues (swamp vegetation), animal waste (Cow, chicken and piggery), compost, coffee husks etc.

4.3 Mindset and lifestyle Change needed for doing Family Farming as a Business This presentation was delivered by Mr. Moses Mwesigwa from MZARDI.

13 million people eat one meal a day while 6 million children sleep without food every night. In addition to the persistence of chronic hunger, food emergencies also continue to be far too frequent. As of October 2005, the number of countries facing serious food shortages throughout the world stood at 39, with 25 in Africa, 11 in Asia and the Near East, 2 in Latin America and 1 in Europe. The causes are varied and include both conflict and natural disasters of various types. In order to avert this situation the family farmer has to under a total mindset and lifestyle change. Norman Vincent Peale said “Change your thoughts and change you world”.

If one’s mindset is rooted in lack of professionalism and patriotism, laziness , poor time management and lack of fore-planning, then it does not t matter whether resources , skills and knowledge are at their disposal , they will achieve very little

There are a million ways of losing a work hour, but there isn't a single way of redeeming it back, so time management is important. Many people are busy but not actually in business. Do not eat to eat, but eat to work. If you do not want to work, do not eat; work for at least four hours for each meal.

Moses shared a number of quotes with the participants regarding mindset and lifestyle change. Here below are a few of them:

It is your decisions, not your conditions that truly shape the quality of your life Honesty is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving Everybody is a sales person for any of the following ; products, intellect, goods and

services


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Do not sell what you can produce, produce what you can sell Every asset you have, however expensive it may be, is a liability as long as it does NOT

bring you passive income, so invest where you can get profits without a lot of daily input

Do not retire from something, Retire to something Do not work for money, work to learn Success is not accidental, it’s intentional It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for

themselves, that will make them successful human beings. The impossible can always be broken down into possibilities Resources are limited, but creativity is unlimited

Question and Answer Session

Issue Response

1. The Kawanda variety of bananas when planted in the same area with local variety of bananas, it tends to kill all the surrounding suckers

The Kawanda variety is high yielding which implies that it takes up a lot of nutrients hence depleting nutrients from the soil

2. Clear on how to treat suckers that shrink leaves and eventually turn yellow and then die

It could be also be signs of signs of banana bacteria wilt disease so take all necessary precautions to avoid spread of the disease

3. I use cow dung to fertilize the ground especially the holes for planting, how long should it stay in there before planting?

I recommend decomposed manure

4. I am a banana grower, the plant produces big bunches but it does not last for long, could it be that the solid need to be tested?

Since they produce big bundles , they take up a lot of nutrients so you need to replenish soil nutrients with fertilizers

5. My mangoes look good when still maturing , but by harvest time they are rotten and full of maggots , I presume that it is the pesticides causing this

That is not true especially if you use the recommended chemicals. It is fruit flies that cause that. You can spray the mango trees or use troughs with scented chemicals to attract and trap them.


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6. Should we use pesticides or herbicides on bananas to destroy nematodes? Don’t they have adverse side effects?

Be careful not to use 2 4 D , use right measurements t and recommended types

7. You said that everybody is a sales person either for product, intellect or goods; does every one posses qualities of business or sales person?

Even if you don’t have them , it is not a genetic trait it is a learned trait

8. What is the difference between improved seeds and high yielding planting materials

Improved seeds have better characteristics while high yielding have a high production rate

9. Veterinary doctors should revise their methods of work, they ask farmers to treat animals yet we are not professional.

4.4 Proposed Way Forward Organizers should plan for more sessions especially regarding , livestock, crop

management and agricultural chemicals Form a national platform for family farmers with sub groups responsible for research,

extension etc Organize family farmers at the grass roots under the various mother NGOs and bring in

trained officials in various aspects of agriculture to offer training Food science graduates should be part of the extension workers in order to support

farmers in value addition and start up of small scale industries

4.5 Closing Remarks Ms. Gertrude Kenyangi thanked all the participants for honoring the invitation. She was amazed at the fact that even though farmers come from different parts of the countries they do have cross cutting challenges. She informed them that one of the outputs of the event would be a memorandum / petition and a report which will be circulated as a working document. She then wished them a safe journey back home. (Please see Annex I for Memorandum for family farmers).


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ANNEX Annex I: Memorandum for Family Farmers

MEMORANDUM

To : The Gates Foundation

From : Family Farmers in Uganda

Subject : Hands off our Food!

Preamble

We the 90% of the 37.58 million people of Uganda, who are Family Farmers and part of the Worldwide

Food Sovereignty Movement categorically state that:

1. We take exception to commoditization of our food, corporate takeover of our land and

seeds.

First and foremost we take exception to your perception of Africa as one mass of land without distinctive

features and populated by a multitude of clones all programmed to think and act the same. Why else would

you recommend one-size-fit all solutions for a problems such as hunger and malnutrition that have diverse

causes? We call upon you to wake up to the reality that Africa is a continent with 55 sovereign and

autonomous nations populated with people with independents minds, culture, beliefs and indigenous

knowledge, by which they have lived long before you were born. What works for arid Mali will not work for

fertile Uganda. What is appropriate for marginalized landless farmers in Zimbabwe and South Africa is not

appropriate for farmers in Ghana who enjoy land rights.

2. You cannot address hunger without addressing the hungry.


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We, Ugandans, for whom Bananas are sacred both as a food and cash crop reject in the strongest terms the GMO

bananas that the Gates Foundation is funding a study on, to examine the extent to which the bananas’ beta-carotene

is converted to Vitamin A in the body and absorbed by consumers. We express our indignation at your impudence

of shamelessly offering Iowa State University $900 to lay their priceless lives on the chopping block and be the first to

consume a product of unknown safety, with no regard to the principle of Prior, Free and Informed Consent. We

protest your audacity to use our children as your guinea pigs for your insatiable pursuit for money.

Instead of attempting to end hunger in Africa by consulting the satiated executive of multilateral

development agencies, swinging in their arm chairs in their oak paneled and air conditioned offices, you

would do well to consult the African subsistence farmers themselves. Invite them to an Indaba, Lukiiko or

Kacoke madit - all African words meaning conference (that’s right – Africans do confer!). Their simple but

time tested techniques of:

– Intercropping for optimum utilization of land and as insurance against 100% crop failure in

one season

– Integrating livestock and crop farming for sustainable soil nutrient recycling

– Indigenous knowledge measures taken to fight pests and diseases

have sustained Africa with food for centuries past. Your top-down approach, where you involve only policy-

makers, agricultural researcher and other technocrats is crashing life out of 90% of Africans who are Family

Farmers. You are perpetrating genocide. All revolutions that have rocked the world and reverberated

through the ages have started with the grassroots. Ask Jesus, ask Mohammed and more recently, ask

Mahatma Gandhi.

Under the now defunct Kyoto Protocol to curb global warming now defunct, rich countries can meet their

emission reduction target by funding green development in poor countries in exchange for carbon credits.

What that really means is that as the Industrialized Countries continue to pollute the atmosphere with


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impunity, the African Family Farmer, depending on fuel wood and cultivation of virgin land to barely meet

household food and energy needs, should refrain from cutting a tree for a paltry amount of money. To an

African peasant farmer with a wife, seven children and a score of orphans left by his brother who

succumbed to AIDS, carbon credits are an abuse. The opportunity cost of storing carbon in a tree at a

paltry sum instead of cultivating the land to meet a households’ food and energy needs is too high. How,

anyway, does one adapt to the death of an entire family buried under a mudslide as a result of Climate

Change related disaster, we ask?

Food security, defined by governments at the World Food summit in 1996 as meaning, “That food is

available at all times, that all persons have means of access to it, that it is nutritionally adequate in

terms of quantity, quality, variety and that it is acceptable within a given culture,” cannot be achieved

without Family Farmers in the picture. It is a function of other factors such as production, distribution &

purchasing power. Granted, while the euphoria lasts, Corporation such as BIDCO with their scorched-earth

policy of clearing virgin forests and replacing them with Palm Trees for commercial purposes could improve

the purchasing power of Family farmers and thus, their access to food in the short term. But who said that

hunger was a result of food shortage? An individual in a food secure household can be food insecure

simply because they are too ill to prepare or eat the food. A community could be food insecure simply

because they have to flee armed conflicts and seek refuge in Internally Displaced People’s Camps where

they depend on erratic aid, while their granaries back home, busting at the seams with a bumper harvest,

are burnt to ashes by marauding warlords.

Be advised that there is no food shortage. In its report, “World Agriculture: Towards 2015 – 2030”, the FAO

said, “In recent years, the fall in growth rates of world agricultural production and yields has occurred not

because of shortages of land or water but rather because demand for agricultural products has slowed”.

The reasons given were:

(i) World population growth rates have started to decline.


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(ii) Fairly high levels of food consumption per person are being reached in many developed

countries including China (especially China!) beyond which further rises will be limited.

A stubbornly high share of the world’s population (read: Least Developed Countries) remains in absolute

poverty and so lack the necessary income to purchase food in the market.

How can they have income when the prices of their agricultural production, their economic mainstay, are

stifled by cheap food imports from heavily subsided farmers in developed countries?

Organic agricultural products are attracting premium prices and can lead to tremendous transformation in

the economies of African countries. The International Trade centre projected that by 2010 the organic

agricultural market would reach US$ 46 billion in Europe, US$ 45 billion in the USA and US$ 11 billion in

Japan.

Africa with her soils largely uncontaminated by chemicals is poised to reap big and you do not want this to

happen. AGRA is playing Jacob to Africa’s Esau (The Bible, Gen 25:23 – 24). In other words you have

seen that Africa has a way out of poverty and in typical self-centeredness you are staffing her mouth with

low grade food while you steal her inheritance. By the time you are through with your games, Africa will be

well and truly hamstrung. What with natural fertility depleted, pests and diseases multiplied and made

resistant, aquifers dried up, pollinators killed off ensuring that there is no self regeneration?

3. We have wised up to yours profit motive.

Why else would you leave a glaring cause of food insecurity, in the names of biofuels untackled? Bio fuel

crops compete with food crops for land and other resources. Sinking maize and soya-bean into the

bottomless pit of biofuels production creates artificial food shortages.


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The European Union was aiming at providing 10% of the fuel used for transport from biofuels by 2010. The

USA government Energy Independence and Security Act passed in December 2007 raised the mandated

volume of biofuels for 2008 from 5.4 billion to 9 billion gallons, quadrupling to 36 billion gallons in 14 years.

That means that 30% of 2008’s grain harvest went into feeding machinery and not people! The biofuel

agenda is not being drafted by policy- makers concerned to avert global warming! The biofuel revolution

comes with GMO’s incorporated. Your cohorts, MONSANTO, SYNGENTA and others are already investing

heavily to deliver crops and trees that fit the requirements of the agrofuel processors such as:

- Crops that produce more energy

- Trees that produce less woody materials

- Enzymes that more easily breakdown the materials into biofuel – suitable feed stocks.

All this is achieved, of course, by means of Genetic Engineering, yet it is a well known fact that Bill

Gates has substantial private investments in Genetic Engineering and the AGRA package contains

hybrid seeds, fertilizer and pesticides.

With partners like”

- YARA Foundation, the only international fertilizer producer with a significant presence in Africa for

the past 25 years,

- MONSANTO Corporation, one of the biggest biotechnology multinational companies and

considered the most aggressive in promoting genetically modified crops,

- SYNGENTA Foundation, the human face of SYNGENTA, the world’s largest seed company,

whose most published project in Africa is the Insect Resistance Maize for Africa (IRMA)?


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Even the blind can see you profit motive, wrapped in the glittering tinsel of philanthropic concern for

the poor hungry African. It is a well calculated move to take control of and make profit from every

step of the African smallholder farmers’ production process.

4. We demand Food Sovereignty and not Corporate Dependency to achieve food security.

We want to retain the right and ability to define our agricultural and food policies to protect:

The rights of the vulnerable in our society especially women farmers as major agricultural and food

producers, custodians of indigenous knowledge and having a critical relationship with the land,

water and food security.

The right of subsistence farmers to

(i) Choose what to produce and how to produce it

(ii) Have ownership of land on which they produce food

(iii) Have access and control of self regenerating planting materials with which to produce

food.

(iv) Have access to water as a public good.

The right of consumers to choose what to consume and how and by whom it is produced.

The local markets from cheap food imports which depress prices

We propose that you support:

Progressive social movements to:

(a) Carry out a thorough Needs Assessment survey to establish and prioritize the needs and identify

appropriate entry points. We have witnessed one philanthropist that was convinced his calling was to


33 |

eradicate malaria. He proceeded to issue mosquito nets to households only for the recipients to call his

bluff and use them to sieve local brew (kwete), which they sold to raise income, their most pressing need.

(b) Implement the agro-ecological alternatives model which, relying on biodiversity and nutrient

recycling, has sustained African communities with food for centuries.

(c) Fund the protection of Intellectual Property Rights of the vulnerable Africans. They are an important

linkage to food security. A seven year orphan child with a garbage heap for a resource crafted a wire toy

car. A Chinese entrepreneur on the prowl for ideas bought the toy car at a price that fed the orphan for one

meal, and used the idea to manufacture toys that raked in enough profits to keep him and his family fed for

a lifetime.

(d) Lobby African government to implement policy change to:

- put in place democratic and good governance structures

- fight graft

- channel their budgets into infrastructural development instead of defense and maintenance of an

over bloated civil service.

- revive farmer cooperatives, food crop marketing boards and rural development banks in order to

guarantee farmer access to markets, ensure fair prices, avail farmers credit on fair terms and

protect them from exploitation by middle men.

- put in place legal and administrative frameworks to ward off the threat of cheap food imports

(e) Advocate with the World Bank, IMF, WTO, USA, EU to reverse their Cooperate Globalization, Free

Trade, Structural Adjustments Programs etc, policies imposed on African Governments which have

kept peasant farmers hungry and in perpetual need


34 |

(f) Channel your finances into making carbon credits worth what the peasant African farmers are

foregoing. The rates should equal to the leasing of a tract of land for a given period.

FOR GOD AND OUR COUNTRY! FOR GOD AND OUR CONTINENT!

.

Annex II: Agenda

TIME SESSION SESSION LEADERS

09:00-09:30 Arrival and Registration

Session One The Context

0930-1030 Welcome Remarks – Agnes Kirabo , FRA James Kaingo , VEDCO

10:30-11:00 Over view IYFF+10 – Gertrude Kenyangi, SWAGEN

11:00-11:30 Opening Ceremony and Speech by Guest of Honor Ms. Connie Acayo , MAAIF

Group Photo

1130-1200 Health Break


35 |

12:00-12:100 Agriculture Policy and the farmer- Richard Mugisha AgriProFocus

Agnes Kirabo , FRA

12:10-12:20 Corporate Takeover of Land –Mr. Henry Kimera , Consent

12:20-12:30 Testimony of Bugala Island farmers on experiences with BIDCO

12:30-13:50 Plenary Session

13:50-14:50 Lunch

14:50-15:20 Agricultural Chemicals Friends of foe- Dr. Ogaram Prudence Ayebare-UNFFE

15:20-15:40 Crop management Practices- Banana-George Kituuka Mugomba , MZARDI

15:40-16:40 Mindset and lifestyle change needed for doing family farming as a business- Moses Mwesigwa , MZARDI

16:40-17:10 Plenary Drafting memorandum , closure

17:10- Health Break and Departure at leisure

Annex III: List of AttendeesNAME ORGANIZATION EMAIL CONTACT

1 Nakabiri Prossy UEEF [email protected] 0758-5246132 Stephen

SsemakulaUEEF [email protected] 0772-465622

3 Mugisha Lyelia ESSAF Uganda 0772-3038084 Katsigazi Beatrice ESSAF Uganda [email protected].

uk0772-931323

5 Ssenyonjo Nicholas

UEF [email protected]

0772-420182

6 Nabakooza Dorothy

UEEF [email protected]

0701-370545

7 Sekalema H GOOF [email protected] 0702-5825028 Ajilong Rose OPEPA 0773-3738009 Wanyama

YowanaFarmer 0772-458017

10 Mukoya Lydia Mbale CAP 0773-06393811 Magezi Eliezer TUNADO [email protected] 0772-385492


36 |

12 Okello Charles Kabarole Kaberamaido DFA

0772-328381

13 Okiria Elimu Juma MIDA Ngora district

0782-458271/0703206571

14 Ojuluna Micheal Amukurat Farmers under WEDA

0777-022410

15 Mitalia Johnson VEDCO [email protected] 0786-22214816 Manget Jackson KADFA 0771-40791117 Akiti Lawerence ADFDA 0772-37006118 Ssebuwufu

EdwardAFRID [email protected] 0705458363/07

8295548619 Ikaali Zeridah ESAFF UG [email protected] 0782-23988020 Enyetu Peter ESAFF UG [email protected] 0772-82770221 Florence

WakoobeMbale CAP 0774-772800

22 Namataka Harrriet

Youth&elederly in combate to climate change

[email protected] 0750686294/0784422099

23 Alimundu Richard CKW Kiryandongo

0773-472454

24 Muheirwe Dick UNFFE Imernee [email protected] 0773-14462425 Vicky A Lokwiya ESSAF UG/

[email protected] 0782-865707

26 Twongirwe Prossie

Kiruhura Women Dev't

0758-245016

27 natuhwera Racheal

Kiruhura Women Dev't

0781-697871

28 Kangegeye Anna Kiruhura Women Dev't

0783-387907

29 Debrah Namara Kiruhura Women Dev't

0782240922/0700645422

30 Susan Namara Kiruhura Women Dev't

0704638213/0774116865

31 Abelin George ESSAF UG/Farmer Soroti


32 Mugisha Aggrey Rushere

Abaitu For Dev't [email protected] 0772-517706


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33 Pastor Abel Tumusiime

MDA Mbarara for Dev't Agency

[email protected]

0772-079019

34 Joseph Taremwa R

Agro-tourism Association

[email protected]

0774-084091

35 Alex Eriyo Bugala Farmers' Association


36 Kemigisa Divine SEATINI Ug [email protected] 0703-11130237 Paul Matovu Journalist [email protected] 0753-76667838 Kayilugavu Ziadi Journalist [email protected] 0757-44301539 Ayebare Prudence UNFFE [email protected]

m0782-252840

40 Deo Wasswa Media Capital FM


41 Kirabira George WOFADA [email protected] 0772-55598842 Naluyange Gladys WOFADA [email protected]

m0788-366047

43 Aaron mujuni TUNADO 0779-67450544 Namugga Aminah [email protected]

m0751-996026

45 Nalusiba Sauda 0751-99602646 Nakawungu

MatildaFRA [email protected] 0775-899816

47 Kabishanga Emmanuel

New Horizons/ Farmer Kabale


48 Okello James soroti [email protected] 0392-94944049 Nakijoba Irene ESAFF-Mukono 0782-58662050 Agita Phiona SWAGEN [email protected] 0757-80805851 Baliraine Hakim AFSA/ESAFF Ug [email protected] 0752-64311052 Kamukama

MiliamKiruhura Women Dev't

0782-948238

53 Kyasimire Jane Kiruhura Women Dev't

0774-166833

54 Kimera Henry Richard

Consent Uganda [email protected] 0751502441/0772502441

55 Adrine Atwine ESAFF Uganda [email protected] 0771-69220956 Bagaga Ronald ESAFF uganda [email protected] 0773-07912557 Frank Ntwatwa FRA Secretariat [email protected] 0700-99688658 Lucky Brian

WambokaFRA 0704-248940

59 Koreta Wan SWAGEN 0705-34463460 Mwebesa Josh SWAGEN [email protected] 0751-823697


38 |

61 Katwinomugisha Reuben

KIWODE [email protected]

0782-486290

62 Ekirapa Vangi Tororo-TODIFA [email protected] 0751-60541463 Kyambazi emma Bugala Farmers 0782-87408064 Nakamya

MadarenaBugala Farmers 0782-874080

65 Nakaketo Mariam Bugala Farmers 0771-80215466 Abubaker Muzura Mukono-Mama [email protected] 0773-13077767 Lule Joseph AVC 0784-45081068 Nakawuka

TeopistoAVC 0773-123704

69 Florence Nakato HORTEXA [email protected] 0782-54847770 Kagoya Lydia PELUM [email protected] 0774-72825871 ssempa Sulaiman AFIRD 0752-53231172 Aporu Richard FRA 0772-99869473 Margaret Barasa Busia D.F.A [email protected] 0779-83597374 Otine Vincent Alebtong DFA [email protected] 0772-40460775 Otto Alvin Oyam DFA [email protected] 0782-00777676 Niransaba Agnes UEEF 0701-78358577 Babirye Zaitun UEEF 0784-84866078 Kisibo David UEEF 0779-85252179 Ssekimpi Lule E Bugala Farmers [email protected]

om0782-160263

80 Mugisha Elly Busheyi Connoisseur Honeys Cop. society

[email protected]

0772-627874

81 James Kaingo VEDCO Buikwe [email protected] 0776-36565682 Stephania Babi

NakamanyaVEDCO Mukono 0774-746620

83 Lugoloobi John VEDCO Mukono 0775-32635784 Ekwanait Ignatius Kumi DFA/

UNFFE0782-717616

85 Nkuba Godfrey AFIRD 0779-55736686 Tengwa tom PEFO 0777-08455387 Baama Sarah PEFO 0774-67863188 Goretti

NalunkumaBFA

89 Lubega Ben UNFEE/MDFA [email protected] 0772-40166590 Uluga Levi Nebbi DFA [email protected] 0774-246569


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91 Mubbaya Crespo VEDCO Uganda 0782-58257892 Timbiti Jane ESAFF 0782-11871693 Irene Nampiima Development

Perspectives0751-844559

94 Sagula Robert Butaleja DFA 0758-43771495 Nsamba Desire K Bugala Farmers 0783-18474396 Nahoro Nyero 0786-95218097 Nsubuga

Augustine0773-310176

98 M John 0778-69529499 Jjuuko Steven 0776-542672

100 Mugisha Richard AgriProFocus 0752-960057101 Kakooza Joseph VEDCO 0788-773510102 Eria Kizito VLSA/PELUM 0702-056098103 Tumusiime David Rukiga Farmers

[email protected] 0772310612/07

00634635


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Documents

swagen.orgswagen.org/assets/docs/ThefutureofFamilyFarming.docx · Web viewCAADPComprehensive Africa Agriculture Development program. DSIPDevelopment strategy and Investment Plan