Jinja City, Uganda: The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has launched Farmer Field Schools to equip farmers with practical agricultural skills tailored to their local environments, in a move aimed at boosting productivity and promoting sustainable farming practices across the country.
The initiative was unveiled during the 32nd National Agricultural Show in Jinja City, where Senior Superintendent of Prisons Generous Behabura Betunga said the programme seeks to bridge the knowledge gap that continues to limit agricultural output among many farmers.
Betunga explained that while Uganda is endowed with diverse agro-ecological zones, many farmers continue to replicate farming methods from other regions without considering differences in climate, soil types and environmental conditions.
“Uganda is blessed with several agro-ecological zones, but many farmers face challenges because they copy and paste farming practices from one area to another without adjusting to their local conditions,” Betunga said.
She said the newly established Farmer Field Schools will serve as practical training centres where farmers will receive hands-on guidance in crop and livestock production suited to the conditions of their respective regions.
According to Betunga, the first Farmer Field School has already been established in the Busoga sub-region, where it will operate as a permanent demonstration and agricultural learning centre.
The facility will be staffed by resident agronomists, veterinarians and other technical experts who will provide continuous support to farmers through practical demonstrations and advisory services.
Betunga noted that the programme is designed to support both individual farmers and organised farmer groups by helping them identify production challenges, adopt improved farming techniques and maximise available opportunities.
She added that the initiative will promote evidence-based farming by encouraging farmers to make production decisions based on scientific knowledge and local environmental conditions rather than relying on practices that may not be suitable for their areas.
The Farmer Field Schools are expected to strengthen farmers’ technical capacity, improve agricultural productivity and encourage the adoption of climate-smart and sustainable farming practices.
The initiative also underscores the expanding role of the Uganda Prisons Service beyond correctional services, with the institution increasingly contributing to national agricultural development through knowledge transfer, innovation and community empowerment.
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