Ugandan smallholder farmers face significant challenges that hinder agricultural productivity, profitability, and competitiveness, despite the sector being a major source of livelihood for millions. According to Sironko District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Asha Mafabi Nabulo, these challenges include limited access to affordable agricultural inputs and financing, inadequate markets, low levels of value addition, and limited access to modern farming technologies and extension services. Nabulo has tabled a motion in Parliament to address these issues.
Nabulo's proposed National Smallholder Farmers' Transformation and Climate Resilience Programme aims to provide a coordinated national approach to addressing the challenges facing smallholder farmers. She argues that establishing a clear legal and institutional framework for the programme is crucial to strengthening the ability of smallholder farmers to withstand the growing effects of climate change. The programme would also enable smallholder farmers to transition from subsistence farming to commercially viable agriculture.
The proposed programme has the potential to significantly improve household incomes, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen Uganda's food security. According to Nabulo, if effectively implemented, the programme could enable Uganda to produce enough food to supply markets across East and Central Africa while lifting an estimated 89 percent of small-scale farmers out of poverty. This would have a positive impact on the country's economy and rural communities.
Nabulo emphasized the need to integrate smallholder farmers into profitable agricultural value chains and ensure they have access to the resources, knowledge, technology, financing, and markets needed to succeed. She also stressed the importance of strengthening farmers' capacity to adapt to climate change, noting that climate-related shocks continue to threaten agricultural production and household incomes. The programme would address these challenges and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
The motion was tabled during a plenary sitting of Parliament chaired by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa. Legislators considered measures aimed at addressing challenges affecting Ugandan communities and the national economy. Nabulo's proposal places smallholder farmer transformation and climate resilience at the centre of Uganda's agricultural development agenda, with the goal of building a productive, competitive, and sustainable agricultural sector.
The proposed programme would require a comprehensive national approach, supported by legislation, sustainable financing, and effective coordination among Government agencies and other stakeholders. Nabulo urged the Government to treat the transformation of smallholder agriculture as a strategic national priority, saying empowering farmers would improve household livelihoods, expand Uganda's productive capacity, and create opportunities for agro-processing and value addition.
Key to the programme's success is the development of a comprehensive legal framework to support smallholder farmers. Three key points underpin this initiative: firstly, to address the challenges facing smallholder farmers, including climate-related shocks and limited access to resources; secondly, to promote sustainable agriculture practices and improve household incomes; and thirdly, to integrate smallholder farmers into profitable agricultural value chains.
Key points
- A comprehensive legal framework is needed to support smallholder farmers.
- The programme aims to lift 89 percent of small-scale farmers out of poverty.
- The initiative seeks to promote sustainable agriculture practices and improve household incomes.
