By CHIMPREPORTS
By Happy Christine
Uganda, renowned as the Pearl of Africa, is set to dazzle the world as it hosts the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+ China Summits. This momentous occasion serves as a grand showcase for Uganda’s remarkable strides in organic agriculture, a journey that began formally in 1993 with cotton and chili in the Northern Region. Fast forward, and Uganda stands as a global organic powerhouse, boasting the second-highest number of organic farmers worldwide and holding the title for the largest area under organic agriculture in Africa.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Mr. Chariton Namuhoza, the visionary CEO of the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU), passionately illustrated Uganda’s position in the global organic surge. He emphasized that Uganda’s exponential growth is fueled by a rising global demand for hazard-free food, a surge in climate change consciousness, and mounting health concerns linked to agrochemicals. Uganda’s strategic minimal use of external inputs positions it as a champion in sustainable food production and a catalyst for enhanced farmer income.
Uganda’s organic success extends far beyond conventional crops like cotton and chili, encompassing a diverse array of products such as coffee, cocoa, sesame, fruits, herbs, and honey. The years 2018-2021 marked substantial growth across certified organic sectors, including farmers, land, exports, processors, and exporters, solidifying Uganda’s footprint on the global organic stage.
NOGAMU’s dynamic CEO shed light on inspiring success stories, showcasing Ugandan companies actively driving the organic movement. Investments in processing and value-adding facilities have yielded a rich harvest of certified organic value-added products, ranging from sugar and cooking oil to fruit pulp, juices, and spices.
Further amplifying Uganda’s commitment to the organic cause, scientists from Makerere University collaborated with NOGAMU to birth the KEBERA tool. This revolutionary tool simplifies the organic product testing process, cutting down transactional costs associated with third-party organic certification and fostering trust among consumers.
Uganda stands out as one of the few African nations with a comprehensive organic agriculture policy, providing a robust framework for sector initiatives. This commitment extends beyond agriculture, with initiatives addressing climate change, reducing greenhouse gases, and enhancing soil carbon sequestration.
The health benefits of Uganda’s organic revolution are paramount, eliminating harmful pesticides and chemicals from the agricultural equation. The World Health Organization underscores the urgency of embracing organic practices, citing thousands of annual deaths linked to pesticide-related illnesses.
Sir Sunday Bob George, a respected senior agricultural officer, extended gratitude to Uganda Martyrs University for pioneering educational courses in organic agriculture at various academic levels.
Beyond the health realm, organic agriculture emerges as a formidable force for food security. Increased yields and incomes translate into greater food availability, while the consistency of production, coupled with improved soil fertility and erosion control, lays the groundwork for long-term food security.
As Uganda prepares to host the NAM and G77+ China Summits, a compelling appeal resounds. Government entities, ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and individuals involved in the summits are urged to recognize Uganda’s abundance of safe, healthy, and organic foods. The call extends to the private sector, urging hotels and restaurants to actively participate in this initiative, offering summit guests a delectable taste of “Organic Uganda.”
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