Africa-Press – Uganda. Farmers urged to leverage the market to enhance household incomes and combat poverty and diseases. Authorities in Rukiga District have launched a daily agro-ecology farmers market.
The market based in Noozi Parish, Mparo Town Council, is a collaboration with Let’s Change My Village (LCM) and the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association.
This market is dedicated to agro-ecological products and indigenous foods.
The launch coincided with the Green Action Week 2024 celebrations at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rwabatungu Village.
During the event, Alexander Atuyamba, the founder of LCM, urged farmers to leverage the market to enhance household incomes and combat poverty and diseases.
“We started this private market to operate daily, ensuring that farmers can supply their produce continuously. Don’t wait for Saturday to shop; use this market instead. This initiative also aims to eliminate middlemen, allowing farmers to sell their products directly,” Atuyamba stated.
He emphasized the importance of promoting agro-ecology, which includes organic farming practices that enhance agricultural yields while minimizing environmental degradation.
“We are avoiding monoculture by growing diverse crop species, which fosters self-regulation within farms. This approach reduces pests and diseases. By nurturing healthy soils through agro-ecological principles, you can effectively manage your farm and produce healthy crops,” Atuyamba added.
The day’s theme focused on the “Restoration and Conservation of Natural Forests in the Kigezi Region,” with various tree species planted at St Augustine Catholic Church to encourage the public to engage in tree planting initiatives.
As the Chief Guest, Rukiga District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Zadock Kamusiime emphasized that embracing agro-ecological products and consuming indigenous foods can mitigate the rising incidence of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
“We have consumed food contaminated with pesticides, leading to increased cancer rates. This market provides a remedy; these pesticides are dangerous. Additionally, when you grow and sell together, development becomes easier, making this market a blessing for our area,” RDC Kamusiime remarked.
Grace Payesu, the Country Coordinator for PELUM Uganda, who represented the company’s executive director, urged farmers to adopt agroforestry and sustainable practices to prevent soil erosion and counteract climate change effects.
“Thank you for supporting Alex in this village transformation. Today, we campaign for afforestation and the restoration of natural forests in Kigezi,” Payesu said.
“We are witnessing significant changes due to climate change. Kigezi used to be much colder, but now we experience prolonged dry spells, which is concerning. We encourage everyone to plant trees,” Payesu said.
The launch of the daily agro-ecology market signifies a pivotal step towards improving farmers’ livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Rukiga District.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
