❇️ Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) : The project concluded a five-day Farmer Field and Business School (FFBS) Approach training for Cohort One under the Crop Value Chain at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK) @MakCAES The training aimed to strengthen extension officers’ capacity to facilitate FFBS, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and equip farmers with the knowledge and skills to improve productivity, strengthen agribusiness, and access markets. Addressing participants, Dr. Nakalet Opolot, Commissioner for Agriculture Extension and Skills Management, appreciated district extension workers for their continued efforts in supporting farmers. He emphasised the critical role of agricultural extension in transforming subsistence agriculture into commercial farming. He urged participants to continuously strengthen their professional competencies, understand the impact of their work, and take an active interest in national development priorities, including the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV). #CSAFridays #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP

❇️ Farmers in Kyegegwa District accessing quality inputs through the e-Voucher system. A 30-member Rugara Tukwatanitse Farmer Group in Hapuya Town Council received 78 bags of fertilizer, 18 spray pumps, 42 litres of fungicide, 18 secateurs, 30 litres of pesticide, 30 tarpaulins and 12 wheelbarrows, alongside training. All members have put the inputs to use and expressed appreciation for the support. They also welcomed the easier, continued access to quality inputs through Tooro Agro-inputs, helping them sustain their farming activities. #CSAFridays #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP

Climate Smart Agriculture: Introducing CSA Fridays, our X section dedicated to tracking progress made through the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP), implemented by MAAIF with support from the @WorldBankGroup . The objective of the project is to increase productivity, market access and resilience of select value chains in the project area and to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. See thread for work done more recently, through this project during the week. #CSAFridays #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

❇️Aquaculture Value Chain support in Kyegegwa District: Through @UCSATP e-voucher production grants, the 15-member Kahe Integrated Farmers Association has established five fish ponds on 2.5 acres. The group plans to reinvest proceeds from fish sales to expand to 15 ponds. Three other groups in the district have also established a combined 15 ponds on 7.5 acres with project support. With 35,000 fingerlings supplied through @UCSATP, Kahe members are optimistic about their enterprise, projecting over UGX 180 million in revenue per harvest. #CSAFridays #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP

Training champions of Climate-Smart Agriculture: Earlier today, a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Crop Value Chain of the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP) was concluded with the awarding of certificates to participants. The training equipped participants with practical knowledge and skills in Farmer Field School (FFS) approaches, including the Agro-Ecosystem Analysis (AESA), to strengthen farmer learning and promote the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Through this capacity-building initiative, UCSATP continues to strengthen agricultural extension and knowledge-sharing, empowering trained participants to transfer the skills acquired to farming communities and contribute to increased agricultural productivity, resilience and market access. The training was held at the @Makerere Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo. #MAAIF_UCSATP #AgricultureUG @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

Climate-smart Agriculture: Readying to harvest honey from project support. 📍 Kisoro District During the ongoing assessment of input utilization, Nyakabingo Local Leaders Association (30 members) and Chintare Beekeeping Group (25 members), which together have over 550 hives, appreciated the modern beehives, protective gear and harvesting tools accessed through the e-voucher system of the Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP). This support, delivered under the Beneficial Insects Value Chain, aims to boost production and productivity, improve incomes and climate-smart practices. About the project The Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisherries and agencies including the National Agricultural Research Organization (@narouganda ), the National Animal Genetics Resources Centre and Data Bank (@NAGRC_DB ) and Uganda National Metereological Authority (UNMA) with support from @WorldBankGroup . The objective of the project is to increase productivity, #market access and resilience of select value chains in the project area and to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. The project supports the Government of Uganda to identify, develop, and incentivize adoption of #climate-smart agriculture technologies and management practices that contribute to climate adaptation of agricultural value chains to sustainably increase productivity and household incomes while enhancing resilience to climatic shocks. #AgricultureUG #MAAIF_UCSATP @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER

Fisheries sub-sector: Here is an excerpt from the statement delivered by Hon. Robert Migadde Ndugwa, the Minister of State for Fisheries to district leaders convened by MAAIF. The Ministry aims to strengthen the fisheries sector so it regains its strong economic position, similar to the progress made in the coffee sector. ❇️ On new regulations: The implementing regulations for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act are now complete and will head to Cabinet immediately following this stakeholder engagement. Community-led management: The government and the President agree on the vital need to involve local landing communities directly in managing fisheries resources. ❇️ Overhauling licensing systems: The Ministry will address current unfairness, complications, and lack of transparency in boat registration and licensing to protect traditional fishermen. ❇️ Improving communication: There must be clearer channels of communication between the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), district local governments, technical officers, and local fishing communities. ❇️ Reframing enforcement: Future enforcement efforts will prioritize community education to help fishermen understand the law, rather than focusing solely on making arrests. ❇️ Zero tolerance for dealing in immature fish: The Minister reechoed concerns on harvesting of immature fish, emphasizing that destroying young fish stocks directly wipes out future livelihoods. ❇️ We shall prioritize sustainability over politics: Leaders must resist short-term political pressure from voters and remain firm on enforcing conservation rules for long-term survival. ❇️ Implementing targeted enforcement: The government will use a localized enforcement approach, penalizing specific non-compliant landing sites instead of banning fishing across entire regions. ❇️ Boosting national foreign exchange: Proper management of the fisheries sector is vital for generating national revenue and boosting Uganda's foreign exchange reserves. #FisheriesUG #MAAIFMeetsDistricts @FrankTumwebazek @DESIREtheFARMER @PS_MAAIF @Thomas_Tayebwa @AKyambadde

Interventions proposed by MAAIF under the new irrigation development plan: These are five (5) in number, as follows 1. Investing in water conveyance systems for on-farm in districts/communities where farmers already have reliable water sources but just lack the conveyance infrastructure up to the gardens 2. Development of an on-farm conveyance infrastructure to farms that are close to seasonal rivers and other streams where abstraction is possible. 3.Profiling all the already developed irrigation systems (developed by both MAAIF and MWE); that may either not be fully functioning or not functioning at all for rehabilitation and full operationalization i.e., addressing the last-mile connectivity challenge so that water actually reaches the farms. 4.Development and transfer of bulk water systems in districts/communities that are water stressed; so as to eventually enable the development of on-farm water distribution networks. 5.Development of fish ponds especially in low land areas like Bukedi, Busoga, Luwero and Kigezi where we have outstanding directives from H.E President @KagutaMuseveni. #AgricultureUG #MAAIFMeetsDistricts