Stakeholders Urge Political Leaders To Embrace And Mobilize Smallholder Farmers For Bunyoro Agriculture Show

Different stakeholders from Bunyoro region have urged the regions political leadership to embrace and mobilize farmers to attend and learn at the upcoming regional agriculture show, speaking at a stakeholder meeting to discuss the show, different people said the regional show was going to be a landmark event to empower many farmers.

According to bishop Kasiita Nicholas of Pentecostal church of Uganda, the Bunyoro region has great potential to feed Uganda, but farmers have for long been deprived of information to help them access good input and also to showcase what they are doing, such a show will expose our people.

‘ I am excited about such a show, as a region we need to embrace it and consolidate our efforts towards feeding our people, Uganda and having universal wealth creation. We have been having small shows in Masindi, farmers days in Kibale, but we never had a show that brings big exhibitors from allover Kampala to Hoima” said Bishop Kasiita.

He said as religious leaders, such an initiative was also good for Christians, because the gospel alone without enriching our people is not good.

The stakeholders meeting and planning meeting was held at the district headquarters, chaired by the principal assistant secretary Hoima district Ms Evelyn Busingye, the meeting was attended by various stakeholders that ranged from farmer leaders, banks, non-government organizations, civil society organizations and district and city production officers.

“As a district we are committed to support this show because we see its value and impact, I urge all district technical staff to mobilize, we have PDM beneficiaries, this is time to showcase but also to learn better, this Expo should be a knowledge hub and marketing center” adds Ms Busingye,

Franklyn Kyomugisha. the communication officer for the Bunyoro kitara kingdom, welcomed the show concept and said the kingdom would support and embrace any initiatives that help usher people out of poverty.

“As a kingdom, we support initiatives that help the people, a lot is done in Bunyoro and it is not tracked, such an event is going to be good to motivate districts to show what they are doing, we hope it will enable competitiveness. “ said Kyomugisha.

Moureen Ankunda, the National Show Coordinator at Agriculture sector network Uganda, thanked the district local government for seeing opportune it and supporting initiatives that are geared to drive smallholder people out of poverty, she revealed that ASENET has held over Nine shows across Uganda and built a national exhibitor’s platform, this is intended to ensure access to quality inputs, technologies but also to ensure farmers access markets.

“We have been to various regions , and every region is unique, however, the participation for Bunyoro indicates the people embrace development. We aim to bring partners to the region and ensure they market quality products, NARO is a partner that offers daily free trainings, the ministry of agriculture will launch a coffee campaign and serve coffee daily during the event, we also have MTN Uganda going to give skills but also train farmers on digital skilling for financial inclusion, we have invited banks and we hope to give a full show to the region.” Added Ankunda.

Dr Kajura Christopher, the district production officer, said he asked ASENET To bring a show to region because he felt the region needed to prepare itself for better markets.

“ I saw what the northern Uganda region show was doing to open markets for the region, the Mbarara show and others, but Bunyoro was missing key organized opportunities, am glad ASENET is here and we are ready to mobilize not just farmers, but traders, teachers, students and leaders across the region.

Dr Sharon Tayebwa said this is the time to see our political leadership reward people beyond politics, “we have now completed politics, its time we helped our people go out of poverty, our leaders should be seen with development agendas, we should ask leaders to provide buses, lorries for farmers to come to the show and learn daily, this free entry show to allow information for everyone.” She said.

Grace Nsasirwe, the deputy Resident city commissioner said , the show resonates with the presidents call for empowering farmers ,urging stakeholders to mobilize massively communities.

The Bunyoro Regional Agriculture and Environment Show is an annual event that brings together key players, stakeholders, and enthusiasts in the agriculture and environment sector. It serves as a vital platform for showcasing innovations, promoting sustainable farming practices, and facilitating knowledge exchange among farmers, agribusinesses, and the wider community.

The Agriculture Show is organized under the theme; “Greening Growth: innovation for climate Agriculture and Environment” is organized through a private public arrangement between Agriculture Sector Network Uganda (ASENET), Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Prine Agriculture Events and regional local governments.  Agriculture Shows Uganda has emerged as a beacon of agricultural innovation and community empowerment agency through its commitment to organizing impactful Agriculture events in different regions in Uganda including the Northern Uganda Region. With a vision to catalyse positive change in the region’s agricultural sector through information and technology dissemination.