The first Uganda National Agricultural Extension Symposium was successfully held from 13 – 15 March 2018 at Hotel Africana in Kampala. The symposium was organised under the theme” Enhancing Capacity and Quality Promoting Gender Responsive, Nutrition Sensitive and Professional AEAS in Uganda “. This symposium was the first of its kind with the aim of forging even more solutions and partnerships that will move agricultural extension services in Uganda.
The symposium was graced by Mr. Opolot Okasaai, Director Crop Resources, representative of the Minster of Agriculture and the Chief of Party for the Enabling Environment for Agriculture Feed the Future, Mr. Milton Ogeda. The symposium was attended and supported by many partners including: USAID, AFAAS, INGENAES, Ministries of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, SG2000, Food Rights Aliance, GFRAS, DLEC, Academia, Farmer Organizations, among others.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Opolot Okasaai, declared: ‘’Government is also focussing resources on increasing access to & use of critical farm inputs; promoting sustainable land use and soil management; nutrition and increasing access to agricultural finance with specific attention to women’’.
On 14th March 2018, an awarding ceremony was organised to celebrate some extensionists. Hon. Robert Migadde handed over twelve awards to the persons whose contribution towards enhancing agricultural extension services in Uganda. The individuals who were awarded included among others: Mr. Okasai Opolot, Dr. Silim Nahdy Mohamed, Dr. Margaret Mangheni Najjingo, Mrs. Beatrice Luzobe. ‘‘If we are to achieve food security, extension must be taken as an important segment in agricultural development. Besides facilitation, extension workers therefore must be provided with the necessary equipment like motorcycles, boats to travel to all areas for service provision with minimal difficulties’’, said Hon. Robert Migadde.
The Ugandan Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) as multi-stakeholders platform that brings together different stakeholders to interact and work together towards mutually agreed goals and objectives to advance agricultural advisory services in Uganda.
The Ugandan Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) as multi-stakeholders platform that brings together different stakeholders to interact and work together towards mutually agreed goals and objectives to advance agricultural advisory services in Uganda.