Farmers, policymakers, researchers and development partners will gather in Soroti on October 15–16 for a festival promoting climate-resilient agriculture, indigenous seeds, nutritious foods and sustainable livelihoods.
The Eastern and Southern Africa Small-scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda will host the second National Agroecology Festival in Soroti City.
The festival, from October 15–16, will bring together farmers, policymakers, researchers and development partners to discuss sustainable farming, food security and climate resilience.
The festival, to be held at Soroti Museum under the theme “Advancing Agroecology for Climate Action, Nutrition and Sustainable Livelihoods,” will feature farmer-led exhibitions, a national policy dialogue, agricultural innovations, cookery demonstrations and discussions on the proposed Soroti Declaration on Agroecology 2026.
The event comes amid growing concerns about climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss and the use of hazardous chemical pesticides, which threaten agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
ESAFF Uganda says the festival will provide a platform for farmers to share practical experiences, showcase locally developed farming solutions and strengthen partnerships with buyers, researchers and government institutions.
The exhibitions will enable farmers and agroecological enterprises to display their produce, connect with potential buyers and explore partnerships aimed at improving market access and profitability.
Nancy Mugimba, the national coordinator of ESAFF Uganda, said the festival would give small-scale farmers an opportunity to share their knowledge and participate more actively in decisions affecting agricultural production and food systems.
“The festival is an opportunity to bring farmers, researchers, buyers and policymakers together to learn from one another and identify practical solutions to the challenges affecting small-scale farmers,” Mugimba said.
She said interactions among farmers and other stakeholders could help create markets for agricultural produce, encourage research informed by community experiences and shape policies that respond to the needs of farming communities.
“We want farmers to be recognised not only as food producers but also as people with valuable knowledge and experience who should participate in shaping agricultural policies and programmes,” she added.
Farmers to Explore Markets and Business Opportunities
The festival will also focus on strengthening market linkages and helping farmers develop sustainable agroecological enterprises.
Naume Kalinaki, ESAFF Uganda’s programmes officer for enterprise and livelihood development, said the event would help farmers, traders and consumers explore opportunities to grow agricultural businesses and establish lasting commercial relationships.
Kalinaki said agroecology could help farmers reduce production costs by making better use of locally available resources and environmentally sustainable farming practices.
“Agroecology offers farmers an opportunity to reduce production costs, improve the management of their farms and build more sustainable livelihoods. The festival will provide a platform for participants to learn from one another, develop business connections and explore ways of making their enterprises more profitable,” she said.
Other activities will include cookery demonstrations, food tasting, research and innovation showcases, cultural performances and awards recognising contributions to agroecology.
Organisers say the activities will promote indigenous foods and locally adapted seeds while demonstrating how sustainable farming practices can improve household nutrition, protect the environment and support rural incomes.
A key component of the festival will be the National Policy Dialogue, which will bring together farmers, government representatives, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss policy priorities and practical measures for advancing agroecology in Uganda.
The discussions will cover food safety, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries’ memorandum on highly hazardous chemicals, the National Agroecology Strategy and emerging policy priorities.
Participants will also examine how farmer-managed seed systems contribute to agricultural biodiversity, seed security, climate resilience and farmers’ rights.
Other issues expected to feature include strengthening links between community seed banks and national genebanks, equitable sharing of benefits from the bioeconomy, and the role of academic institutions in supporting farmer-managed seed systems.
The dialogue is expected to generate recommendations to guide future collaboration among farmers, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders.
Participants will also consider the proposed adoption of the Soroti Declaration on Agroecology 2026, which organisers hope will consolidate commitments and guide collective action towards sustainable and resilient food systems.
The second day of the festival, October 16, will coincide with World Food Day, observed in 2026 under the theme “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
The occasion will provide an opportunity to highlight how indigenous knowledge, locally adapted seeds, diverse foods and agroecological farming practices can contribute to food security, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
ESAFF Uganda says strengthening farmer-led agricultural systems can help communities respond to climate-related challenges while protecting biodiversity and improving access to nutritious food.
The organisation, a farmer-led advocacy movement that became operational in 2008, brings together 12,588 small-scale farmer community organisations across 54 districts, representing more than 765,560 farmers, 67% of whom are women.
Through agroecology, food sovereignty, policy advocacy, knowledge exchange and market linkages, ESAFF Uganda seeks to strengthen farmers’ participation in agricultural decision-making and promote food systems that respond to the needs of small-scale producers.
The festival is expected to strengthen collaboration among agricultural stakeholders and raise awareness of farming approaches that can improve food security, protect the environment and support rural livelihoods.