Agroecology week kicks off in Kampala as PELUM Uganda partners with govt
KAMPALA, October 24, 2023 – PELUM Uganda in collaboration with the ministries of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF], Trade, Industry and Cooperatives [MTIC], and National Agroecology Actors has organised the National Agroecology Week of Action [AWA] 2023, running from October 23-27, 2023, and hosted at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The AWA is also being streamed live on the different online platforms.
The 5th National Agroecology Actors’ Symposium [NAAS] to be held on Tuesday 24th October under the theme “Accelerating A Just, Inclusive and Resilient Food System Through Agroecology “.
“The one objective of this symposium is to provide a platform for agroecology actors to share experiences and strategies for food systems transformation through scaling up of agroecology in Uganda,” said Moses Onen Moses, Programmes Manager Advocacy at PELUM Uganda.
The 2nd Agroecological Market Systems Expo [AMASE] scheduled for Wednesday the 25th October, under the theme “Advancing Agroecological Entrepreneurship and Synergies for Sustainable Market Development”.
Also organised is The 13th Annual Indigenous and Traditional Food and Seed Fair to be held from Thursday the 26th – Friday the27th October 2023 under the theme “Nurturing healthy, nutritious and resilient food systems for all’’.
Priscilla Kabakoyo, a farmer and leader of the World Food Forum and a mentee under the AWOLA Project said Agroecology Week offers us a platform to increase sales and called upon the government to join PELUM Uganda to enhance food sustainability in the community. “As farmers, we face a lot of obstacles, such as limited access to markets,” she said.
According to PELUM Uganda, the three events will provide platforms for participation of different actors within the Agriculture and Agroecology spaces. The live stream sessions are being relayed on PELUM Uganda’s online platforms, thus X [Twitter], YouTube, and Zoom. Wide publicity is being done on the traditional mainstream media.
“Our mandate and core business as the National Agroecology Actors together with the Government is not only to scale up but also to scale out and scale deep Agroecology in Uganda by addressing the concerns of Agroecological Production and Market Systems; Institutional and Policy frameworks; and positive mindset and behavioral adjustments through ensuring availability of adequate supportive atmosphere.”
Agroecology as defined by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable8 agriculture and food systems. It seeks to optimise the interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment while also addressing the need for socially equitable food systems within which people can exercise choice over what they eat and how and where it is produced.
Scaling up of Agroecology in Uganda is critical towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] most especially the SDG 2 on Zero Hunger that requires a transition towards more sustainable food systems with more socio-economic benefits and with less environmental consequences.
According to PELUM Uganda officials, in light of this background, the three events of the Agroecology Week of Action have been designed to promote scaling up of Agroecology in all the three spheres of public policy, agriculture production and market Systems.
The 5th Annual National Agroecology Actors Symposium aims at providing a platform for Agroecology actors to share experiences and strategies for food systems transformation through scaling up of Agroecology in Uganda with the view of improving Public Policies.
The 2nd Agroecological Market Systems Expo [AMASE] to be held at the People’s Space at Hotel Africana will feature a variety of activities designed to highlight the potential of agroecological businesses in improving livelihoods and transforming food systems. The activities include public awareness campaigns, “Akatale” – Market showcasing agroecological products, multi-sectoral services exhibitions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Further, strengthening entrepreneurship capacity as well as identifying and discussing public policy issues regarding trade in Agroecological products, services, and territorial market development will be prioritised.
The 13thAnnual Indigenous traditional Food and Seed Fair is aimed at showcasing the significance of Uganda’s indigenous and traditional food and seeds in fostering healthy and sustainable food systems for now and the future. The traditional food systems further contribute towards the achievement of food security and improved nutrition, maintaining genetic diversity of seeds and plants, and promote sustainable agriculture.
At the Fair, there will be exhibitions from different member organisations showcasing their indigenous/traditional/cultural food products and/ or work on promoting indigenous foods and seeds and awards will be given to the best exhibitors.
“It is further critical to note that access to secure, nutritious, and healthy food is one of the aspects offering greater human security and societal stability. Indigenous and Traditional food systems have served as a major source of healthy diets amongst the local communities. Indigenous Peoples around the world are stewards of nature and holders of vast local knowledge and traditions, handed down from generation to generation, that guide them in living interdependently with the environment,” reads a media statement.
Indigenous and traditional food systems represent a treasure strove of knowledge that contributes to the well-being and health, preserving a rich biodiversity, and providing nutritious food. Indigenous and traditional territories are home to 80 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity and often play a wider role in environmental conservation.
Furthermore, the agricultural biodiversity within indigenous and traditional food and seed systems contributes to food and nutrition security, improved financial situations, and for combating ‘hidden hunger’ caused by micronutrient [vitamin and mineral] deficiencies.
According to the Food and Agriculture [FAO], Despite their critical importance, the food systems, crops and knowledge systems of Indigenous and traditional peoples are often perceived as “backward” or unproductive and are threatened by the industrialisation of agriculture and food, economic development and globalisation, leading to widespread losses of food-related biocultural diversity in many countries.
The modernisation of agri-food systems has helped to reduce undernutrition but has not resolved persisting micronutrient deficiencies and has contributed to rising obesity and other diet-related diseases while being one of the most significant drivers of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change.
PELUM Uganda All the above events are expected to bring together policy makers, technical staff of Government, farmers, private sector actors (Agroecological input dealers, producers, certification bodies, processors, business service providers), financial institutions, media, research institutions, youth, development partners, civil society, and the academia.
‘We further call upon the third estate- press and media who are key stakeholders in upscaling Agroecology to convey our key message today and those that will be garnered with the Agroecological Week of Action this week to raise awareness and mobilise the different stakeholder to participate.”
PELUM Uganda works to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers & the sustainability of rural communities through fostering Ecological Land Use Management.
https://thecooperator.news/fighting-climate-change-farmers-urged-to-embrace-agroecology/
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