Farmers in Budaka District have been urged to embrace modern agricultural practices to improve productivity and fight food insecurity as hundreds gathered for an agricultural expo showcasing innovations in climate-smart farming.
The expo, held at Budaka Saza grounds, attracted farmers from Budaka, Pallisa and Butebo districts and featured exhibitors displaying improved seeds, irrigation technologies, animal breeding services and agricultural financing options.
Organised by the district production department under the theme ‘Modern farming is a key driver to socio-economic empowerment,’ the event aimed at equipping smallholder farmers with practical skills and reliable information to boost agribusiness.
District Production Officer, Mr Asuman Kawanga, said many farmers continue to suffer losses due to fake inputs and limited access to certified suppliers.
‘Farmers have been facing a challenge of accessibility of agricultural inputs and, worse still, procuring fake seeds and pesticides. This expo will guide farmers on the right companies and right information,’ he said.
He added that improved access to quality inputs would significantly raise productivity and help address poverty and food insecurity in the region.
Mr Kawanga also urged farmers to shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, warning that continued land fragmentation was undermining production.
He noted that most households in the district now operate on less than one acre due to population pressure, a trend he said threatens future food security.
Extension officers demonstrated climate-smart techniques, including drip irrigation and soil fertility management, which farmers described as transformative.
‘I never imagined one could grow vegetables during the dry season. Today I have learned about drip irrigation, which uses very little water but keeps crops alive,’ farmer Mr Moses Mukama said on Sunday.
He added that he intended to apply the technology on his half-acre plot.
Assistant District Agricultural Officer Ms Irene Kwetega said the aim of the expo was to shift attitudes among farmers and promote practical skills.
‘We are not just giving farmers skills. We are changing attitudes,’ she said.
Veterinary officials also used the event to provide animal health services, including rabies vaccination and dog castration.
Budaka District Veterinary Officer Dr Peter Owori said more than 300 dogs were vaccinated and 150 castrated during the outreach.
Local leaders commended the initiative, saying it would strengthen agricultural development in the district.
Budaka LC5 Chairperson Mr Anthony Kateu called for increased investment in extension services and market access, while Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mr Stephen Ogwang said the expo supported government efforts under the Parish Development Model.
‘This is not just a show. It is a movement towards self-reliance,’ he said.
Richard Mugolo, the Chief Administrative Officer, said the initiative would improve household incomes if farmers fully embraced the training.
As the event closed, farmers left with seedlings, brochures and contacts of input suppliers, with many describing the expo as a turning point in their farming practices.