Organic Marvel: Uganda Set to Showcase Agricultural Progress Ahead of Global Summits

By Gad Masereka

In the lead-up to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77+ China Summits, Uganda is gearing up to showcase its remarkable strides in organic agriculture. This press release aims to illuminate Uganda’s evolution in the organic sector, positioning the country as a hub for premium-quality organic products.

While formal certified organic agriculture took root in 1993 with cotton and chili in Northern Uganda, the sector has flourished since then. Uganda has emerged as a global player in organic farming, with an inherently organic agricultural system.

The global organic agriculture market has witnessed exponential growth, reaching an estimated $367 billion by 2026. Uganda stands poised to leverage changing consumption patterns and increased demand for organic food.

Uganda boasts the second-highest number of organic farmers globally and the largest land area under organic agriculture in Africa. Between 2018-2021, there was a significant increase in certified organic farmers, total certified organic land, and organic food exports. Uganda now contributes 12% to the country’s total agricultural exports.

The country has expanded organic production from cotton and chili to include coffee, cocoa, sesame, vanilla, chia, sunflower, fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, and more.

Success stories include companies manufacturing organic agriculture inputs, investment in processing facilities for organic value-added products, and the development of the “KEBERA” tool for testing organic products, reducing certification costs. Uganda also has an organic agriculture policy, a crucial guiding framework.

Organic farming in Uganda has various environmental impacts. It increases yields in subsistence agriculture systems, reduces greenhouse gases, improves soil carbon sequestration, enhances resilience against climate change, and contributes to better health by eliminating pesticide-related risks.

As Uganda prepares to host global leaders, the spotlight on its organic agriculture sector promises not only to showcase agricultural accomplishments but also to advocate for sustainable and healthy food choices on a global scale. The appeal is extended to summit participants to recognize Uganda’s diverse organic offerings, and there is a call for the private sector, including hotels and restaurants, to serve organic dishes during the summits.

Signed: Chariton Namuwoza CEO, NOGAMU, and President African Organic Network