Young people in Uganda have been urged to change their mindset about agriculture and begin viewing it as a profitable and sustainable business.
The call was made during the conclusion of a five-day circular regenerative agriculture mentorship programme organized by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) in partnership with Farm Radio International, Youth Climate Council Uganda and Trinity Forestry Services.
The training, which attracted more than 200 youths through virtual sessions, ended with a practical field session at Trinity Forestry Services in Bombo, Luweero District.
Christopher Marvin Tumsime, Founder of Trinity Forestry Services, said many young people avoid agriculture because they still view it through outdated perceptions.
“Many young people think agriculture is not a business. They see it the way our parents used to do it and sometimes even as a punishment in schools. But agriculture is a venture that can earn a lot of money if it is done as a business,” Tumsime said.
He explained that the training focused on circular regenerative agriculture practices that restore the environment while increasing productivity and building climate resilience.
“We are training young people to adopt agricultural systems that ensure environmental restoration, increase productivity and support climate resilience and adaptation,” he said.
However, Tumsime noted that several barriers continue to prevent youths from fully engaging in agriculture.
“Young people face challenges such as limited access to land and capital. Many financial institutions hesitate to support them when they are starting their agricultural businesses,” he said.
He added that lack of technical knowledge and market linkages also affects young farmers.
“Knowledge gaps and lack of market networks can discourage young people from continuing in agriculture if they do not know how to sell their products,” he said.
During the mentorship programme, participants were trained in agroforestry, soil and water conservation, integrating crops with trees and livestock, and developing profitable agribusiness ventures.
Jemimah Babirye Kasibbo, Lead Programs Officer at GAYO, said the initiative aims to promote agriculture that protects the environment while creating livelihood opportunities for young people.
“Circular regenerative agriculture restores the environment while supporting sustainable livelihoods. We want young people to adopt practices that protect nature while also earning from agriculture,” she said.
One of the trainees, Leticia Ahirirwe, an agriculture scientist and co-founder of the Food and Agribusiness Management Association of Uganda, said the training highlighted the importance of combining indigenous knowledge with modern farming methods.
“Many young farmers ignore indigenous knowledge and only focus on modern technologies. But indigenous knowledge can help us protect our land and ecosystem,” she said.
Ahirirwe encouraged more youths to venture into agriculture, noting that even small pieces of land can be used productively.
“You can do a lot of projects on a small piece of land. Agriculture is not a dirty job as many people think,” she added.
The mentorship programme started on March 9 with four days of online training before concluding with a practical field session aimed at giving participants hands-on experience in sustainable farming practices.
