Josephine Luyimbazi (left) takes Mugisha around the stalls of the recently held Agoecolology Expo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I A ripe area for Ugandans seeking to venture into agriculture and entrepreneurship is agroecology, which is creating opportunities in the production, processing and marketing of sustainably grown food and other agricultural products for local and international markets.
From supplying organic foods to processing cocoa, goat milk, spices and cosmetics, agroecology is opening up possibilities for farmers, cooperatives and entrepreneurs to earn income while adding value to agricultural produce.
This was one of the key messages at the sixth Agroecology Market Systems Expo (AMASE), held at Hotel Africana in Kampala last Thursday, where farmers and enterprises exhibited products ranging from organic foods, spices and cosmetics to indigenous seeds and poultry.
The exhibition, organised by the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association, demonstrated how enterprises built around environmentally sustainable farming practices can create jobs, improve household livelihoods and contribute to food security.
Agroecology refers to the study and practice of farming with nature to produce healthy food, protect the land and support local farming communities. Beyond its environmental benefits, participants at the expo highlighted its potential as a commercial opportunity for Ugandans willing to explore emerging markets for sustainably produced agricultural products.
Speaking on behalf of Trade Minister Sanjay Tana, Patrick Mugisha, a commissioner in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, said cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises had an important role in expanding agroecological production and processing.
“I have seen spices, cosmetics, organic food, indigenous seeds and poultry exhibited. I hope you will help the ministry define what agroecology is so that it can respond to the hurdles being encountered by your members,” Mugisha said.
He encouraged PELUM, organisers and agroecological businesses to expand their activities beyond Kampala and reach rural communities in areas such as Kanungu, Karamoja and Arua.
According to Mugisha, extending the initiatives to these areas would help rural producers access markets and benefit from business opportunities arising from agroecological production.
Impressed by the range of products displayed, he pledged that the ministry would co-sponsor the seventh edition of the expo, signalling support for initiatives seeking to connect producers with markets and address challenges facing the sector.
Certification opens export opportunities
While the domestic market offers opportunities for agroecological enterprises, participants noted that Uganda could also benefit from growing demand for sustainably produced agricultural products in international markets.
Julie Nakitende of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) said farmers and businesses could earn more by targeting premium markets where consumers are willing to pay for products produced under sustainable practices.
She cited coffee, cocoa, fresh fruits, vegetables and spices as products with potential to access higher-value markets.
However, Nakitende cautioned that using traditional farming practices did not automatically qualify agricultural produce as certified organic.
Farmers must comply with recognised production standards and demonstrate that their products meet the relevant requirements before they can access markets that demand organic certification.
This means that entrepreneurs seeking to build businesses around organic and sustainably produced foods must pay attention not only to production, but also to the standards required by their intended buyers.
Akia Josephine Luyimbazi, PELUM country representative, said Uganda needed stronger certification systems, farmer training, traceability, improved post-harvest handling and reliable market connections to compete effectively.
She also called for greater investment in processing and packaging so that businesses could retain more value locally rather than depending largely on exports of unprocessed agricultural products.
Her remarks highlighted an opportunity for entrepreneurs to establish enterprises that turn agricultural produce into finished or semi-processed goods, creating additional income along the value chain.
For instance, processing cocoa, spices and other agricultural products can enable businesses to reach consumers with branded products instead of selling only raw commodities.
Cocoa offers lessons for entrepreneurs
Barbra Kaikara of Immaro Innovations shared her experience of venturing into cocoa, describing the challenges of establishing a business in a market where established brands already enjoy strong consumer recognition.
She said she had experimented with different ventures before settling on cocoa, illustrating the importance of identifying a product and developing the knowledge needed to compete.
Starting small and learning the trade helped her understand the market and compare her products with those of established competitors.
One of her initial challenges was persuading consumers to try her products when they were already accustomed to familiar brands such as Cadbury.
Her experience demonstrated that entering an agroecological business requires more than identifying an agricultural product. Entrepreneurs must also understand consumer preferences, develop quality products and build confidence in their brands.
For farmers and small businesses, the expo provided an opportunity to learn from enterprises already exploring these markets, while displaying products that could attract buyers and business partners.
The discussions also pointed to the importance of building stronger connections between farmers, processors, cooperatives and markets. Without reliable market access, training, certification and investment in processing, producers may struggle to benefit fully from the value of their products.
About the Author
