Civil society organisations under the network of Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Uganda (PELUM Uganda) have called for greater protection and promotion of indigenous seeds, traditional foods and agroecological farming practices, warning that safeguarding Uganda’s agricultural biodiversity is critical to building resilient food systems, improving public health and securing the country’s food future.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 National Agroecology Week of Action, scheduled for October 26–30 at Hotel Africana in Kampala, the CSOs said indigenous seeds and traditional food systems hold valuable knowledge for adapting to climate change, managing pests and diseases, preserving cultural heritage and supporting farmers’ livelihoods, but their potential must be strengthened through practical agricultural support, favourable policies and reliable markets.
Edward Mukiibi, Executive Director of Slow Food Uganda and Chairperson of the PELUM Uganda Board, said the country’s food future depends on protecting biodiversity, supporting farmers and building production systems that nourish people without degrading the environment.
“Uganda’s food future depends on our ability to protect biodiversity, support farmers, and build food systems that nourish people while sustaining the environment. Agroecology provides an opportunity to connect these priorities with practical solutions that benefit farmers, consumers and the wider economy,” Mukiibi said.
He added that agroecology should be recognised not only as a sustainable approach to agricultural production but also as a means of strengthening rural livelihoods, creating business opportunities and preserving Uganda’s food heritage.
According to officials, Uganda’s indigenous and traditional seeds represent an important resource for farmers seeking to adapt to changing weather patterns, soil degradation and the increasing pressure of pests and diseases.
Locally adapted crops and traditional seed varieties can contribute to agricultural diversity, help spread production risks and preserve genetic resources that may be valuable for future food production. Their performance, however, depends on the crop variety, local growing conditions and appropriate farm management.
Officials from PELUM Uganda noted that farmers need opportunities to conserve, exchange and cultivate indigenous seeds, while younger generations must be supported to learn the knowledge and practices associated with them.
Mukiibi said opportunities for farmers to exchange knowledge are particularly important in promoting practical alternatives to harmful agricultural practices.
He warned that the indiscriminate use of pesticides, including the harvesting or marketing of produce before the recommended pre-harvest interval has elapsed, raises food safety concerns.
“One of the principles of agroecology is looking at the health of the food that we eat. We need to create opportunities for farmers to exchange knowledge and learn how to use agricultural inputs safely, while also exploring practical ways of managing pests without relying on synthetic or highly hazardous pesticides,” Mukiibi said.
He noted that farmers already have useful examples of agroecological pest management, but these solutions may remain confined to individual farms unless deliberate efforts are made to facilitate learning and cooperation.
“This is the reason why we hold the Agroecology Week of Action: so that people can share concrete examples and solutions that bring life to the food system. We recognise that the challenges are difficult because we are dealing with an industrial food system that has been entrenched in our daily lives for decades. We cannot transform it in one day, but we cannot wait any longer to begin building a more resilient system,” he said.
Mukiibi expressed concern about the misuse of agricultural chemicals and the possibility of produce entering markets before the required waiting period after pesticide application has elapsed.
He called for stronger farmer education and the promotion of agroecological alternatives, including biological pest-control methods and appropriate lower-risk agricultural inputs.
He also urged consumers to reconsider the expectation that fresh produce must look perfectly uniform to be considered good quality.
“Our minds have been tuned to look at perfect food, yet food that looks perfect is not necessarily the best for our health. A carrot that has a branch is still a carrot, and vegetables with holes are still vegetables. We need to educate consumers to look beyond appearance and pay attention to how food is produced,” Mukiibi said.
He added that food systems should prioritise safe production, environmental health and nutritional value rather than appearance alone.
However, he noted that the transition away from heavy reliance on synthetic chemicals would require time, continued learning and appropriate support for farmers dealing with persistent pests and diseases.
The Agroecology Week of Action is expected to showcase innovations in biological pest control, agroecological inputs and other approaches that can help farmers manage production challenges while protecting human health and the environment.
PELUM Uganda says the future of indigenous foods and agroecological farming also depends on whether farmers can earn reliable incomes from their produce.
Josephine Akia Luyimbazi, Country Coordinator of PELUM Uganda, said the organisation had recorded growing public awareness of agroecology, increased interest in its products and stronger partnerships through its successive agroecology events.
She said exhibitions and food festivals had helped connect farmers with consumers, processors, hotels, catering businesses and other buyers, creating opportunities for local produce to reach wider markets.
“One of the biggest achievements has been the awareness we have created around agroecology, which has helped strengthen the movement and encouraged more people to practise it. We are also seeing increased demand for agroecological products, with consumers asking where they can obtain fresh produce, processed foods, planting materials and biological solutions for managing pests and diseases,” Luyimbazi said.
She cited farmers’ markets and business linkages as examples of how agroecological products can move beyond exhibition spaces into regular commercial channels.
According to Luyimbazi, such platforms provide opportunities for farmers to sell their produce, establish relationships with buyers and improve their incomes, while consumers gain access to a wider range of locally produced foods.
The 5th Agroecological Market Systems Expo, scheduled for October 28 under the theme, “Building Strategic Partnerships for Resilient Agroecological Enterprises and Sustainable Market Systems,” will focus on strengthening these connections.
The expo will showcase agroecological products, enterprises and innovations while facilitating business-to-business engagement, enterprise development and strategic partnerships.
It will also highlight opportunities to connect regenerative agriculture with renewable energy and other productive technologies that can support agroecological enterprises.
Luyimbazi said the long-term success of agroecology would depend on sustained demand, stronger market access and the ability of farmers to turn their knowledge and production into viable businesses.
The push to promote indigenous seeds and traditional foods also comes amid broader discussions about Uganda’s agricultural policies, regulation of farm inputs and the development of sustainable food systems.
Allan Ssebulime, a PELUM Uganda board member, said continued engagement with government institutions and other stakeholders was important to securing policy support for agroecology.
He pointed to ongoing discussions around Uganda’s agroecology strategy and the proposed regulatory framework for ecological and organic agriculture as important areas to follow.
Ssebulime also urged stakeholders to pay attention to proposed legislation affecting agricultural inputs, including chemicals, arguing that regulation and promotion of safer production systems should form part of the country’s broader food security agenda.
He said agroecology could contribute to addressing challenges associated with climate change, soil health, pests and diseases by encouraging farming practices and crop varieties suited to local conditions.
Indigenous foods can strengthen agricultural tourism
Joseph Taremwa of the Agrotourism Association of Uganda said indigenous foods, traditional farming practices and farm-based experiences could create additional income opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
He argued that visitors increasingly have opportunities to experience local food cultures through farm visits, coffee experiences, food tasting and interactions with agricultural communities.
“Agroecology is about nature and conservation, but we also want farmers to make money. People can earn from the food they produce, and visitors can come to their farms, learn how the food is grown, experience the production process and taste the products. That creates another source of income and helps make farming enterprises more sustainable,” Taremwa said.
He added that Uganda’s traditional foods and agricultural practices could help differentiate the country’s tourism offering by connecting visitors to the people, cultures and landscapes behind its food.
For rural communities, these experiences could provide complementary income beyond the sale of agricultural produce, particularly where farmers can establish safe, well-organised and commercially viable visitor experiences.
Taremwa said stronger collaboration between farmers, tour operators and other players in the hospitality industry would be important in developing this potential.
The National Agroecology Week of Action comes shortly after the International Day of Rural Women, observed on October 15, and World Food Day, marked on October 16.
These observances highlight the importance of inclusive food systems, rural livelihoods, agricultural innovation and the role of traditional knowledge in addressing food and environmental challenges.
Josephine Akia Luyimbazi said the organisation wanted the gathering to connect farmers’ experiences with policy decisions and business opportunities.
“The future of food depends on the people who produce it, the knowledge they hold and the systems that support them. Through the Agroecology Week of Action, we want to connect farmers’ innovations with policy action, market opportunities and strategic partnerships. Our ambition is to move beyond dialogue towards practical commitments that strengthen agroecology, improve livelihoods and contribute to a resilient and inclusive food future for Uganda,” she said.
Uganda’s agricultural sector remains central to employment and rural livelihoods, making the sustainability of food production an important national concern.
According to World Bank data based on International Labour Organization estimates, approximately 65 per cent of Uganda’s employment was in agriculture in 2025. This underscores the importance of farming systems that support productive livelihoods while protecting the natural resources on which future production depends.
The 2026 National Agroecology Week of Action is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, researchers, private-sector actors, development partners and consumers to discuss practical approaches to strengthening the country’s food systems.