As Uganda struggles to create enough jobs for its rapidly growing youth population, agroecology is emerging as a promising pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and income generation.
At a recent mentorship workshop organised by Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Uganda at the American Centre in Kampala, more than 30 young people and women gathered to explore opportunities in agroecology-based enterprises, ranging from poultry farming and beekeeping to fruit processing and climate-smart agriculture.
For many participants, the event offered a different perspective on agriculture-not as a subsistence activity, but as a business with the potential to create wealth and jobs. Throughout the engagement, speakers stressed that while unemployment, limited access to capital and shrinking formal employment opportunities continue to frustrate many young Ugandans, opportunities still exist for those willing to innovate and embrace entrepreneurship. Delivering a keynote address virtually from Nairobi, Kenya, mentorship expert Victor Mwiiru urged participants to stop waiting for ideal conditions before pursuing their ambitions.
‘Do not wait for bells to ring. Grab any opportunity available,’ Mwiiru said. ‘Along the way, you will discover what you truly desire. Study your neighbourhood, identify the missing links and become the solution.’ His remarks reflected a growing recognition that agriculture remains one of the few sectors capable of absorbing large numbers of young people while addressing food security and environmental challenges. Mwiiru encouraged participants to take advantage of government-supported incubation hubs and enterprise development programmes that nurture innovators and start-ups.
‘Apply to join the next cohort in incubation centres. Discover yourself, know your strengths and market your abilities confidently,’ he said. According to him, agroecology-linked enterprises such as poultry farming, livestock rearing, fruit processing and beekeeping have significant potential to create jobs and improve household incomes. ‘Poultry farming, livestock rearing, fruit processing and beekeeping hold enormous potential to generate employment, create wealth and improve household incomes for both urban and rural communities,’ he noted.
PELUM Uganda’s Julius Caesar Ssemambo said support systems for aspiring agripreneurs already exist, but many young people are either unaware of them or fail to utilise them. He explained that mentorship programmes expose participants to successful entrepreneurs, experienced farmers and innovation experts who provide practical guidance on business development. ‘There are programmes such as the Nelson Mandela initiatives, Yalta and Africa Women in Agroecology platforms capable of transforming lives if young people embrace them seriously,’ Ssemambo said.
David Sembajwe, another facilitator, said agroecology offers opportunities in value addition, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable income generation, particularly for women and youth. As climate change increasingly affects agricultural production, interest in environmentally sustainable farming practices is also growing. Agroecology promotes efficient use of local resources while reducing dependence on costly external inputs, making it attractive to small-scale farmers and start-up entrepreneurs.
The workshop also highlighted how mentorship can inspire practical business ideas. Participant Esther Sebagala said the engagement had motivated her to start a small fruit-processing venture using locally available produce.