By Gloria Nakiyimba
Maize and beans farmers stand to benefit from the new government developed agricultural manuals to help them shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
The Educational and informational materials are in response to growing concerns by beans and maize farmers about inconsistencies in training content delivered by extension workers training farmers on better practices.
The creation of these materials was made possible with support from USAID through Feed the Future’s Uganda Enabling Environment for Agriculture Activity
“Uganda, which is largely an agricultural country, is improving its global competitiveness, particularly in commodity crops like coffee and vanilla. However, farming communities must be educated and prepared to adjust their agricultural operations within the context of globalization, responding to trends and consumer tastes in Uganda and beyond. ” said USAID Mission Director Joakim Parker
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In 2016, Uganda produced 2.6 million and 600,000 metric tons of maize and beans respectively. The government aims to produce 10 million metric tons of both maize and beans by 2020.
“ Critical to achieving these production goals are strengthened extension services, mechanization, and improved post-harvest handling practices” he said.
The U.S. government’s Feed the Future Initiative has worked hand-in-hand with the Ugandan government and the agricultural sector to boost incomes and support a food secure future for Ugandans. The materials and manuals launched are vital tools for delivering skills, knowledge and technology to farmers.
Feed the Future is the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative which supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth and trade that increase incomes and reduce hunger, poverty and under nutrition.