Farmers in the Teso sub-region have been encouraged to embrace research-driven agricultural technologies and adopt a stronger savings culture geared toward investment in agriculture as a pathway to improved productivity and household incomes.
Speaking during the Awoja Agricultural Exhibition Day, Dr. Opolot, who represented the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), urged farmers to move away from outdated farming practices and adopt modern, climate-smart agricultural technologies developed through research.
He noted that while many communities in Teso actively participate in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), much of the savings are often directed toward consumption rather than productive investment.
Farmers should be open-minded and move away from ancient ways of doing things. Saving should not only focus on food consumption but also on investment in agriculture. Research-driven technologies provide farmers with proven, high-yielding, and climate-resilient solutions that reduce risks, lower production costs, and increase productivity and household incomes,” he emphasized.
Dr. Opolot also challenged agricultural extension officers to lead by example by implementing the same technologies and practices they promote among farmers.
Extension workers should practice what they teach in their own homes and communities. They must become role models rather than only conducting trainings for the sake of work,” he added.
The agricultural exhibition, which opened on March 21 and runs until March 24, 2026, has brought together farmers, researchers, agribusiness players, and development partners in a collective effort to advance agricultural transformation in Eastern Uganda.
The National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) is among the key exhibitors participating in the event alongside sister institutes including National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI), National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL), National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), and Buginyanya Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Buginyanya ZARDI).
At the NaSARRI exhibition booth, farmers and visitors interacted with a variety of technologies and innovations tailored to Eastern Uganda’s farming systems. These included improved varieties and value-added products in cotton, groundnuts, simsim, sunflower, sorghum, millet, and popped sorghum products, among others.
Beyond the exhibitions, practical training sessions were conducted where researchers and technical experts directly engaged farmers by answering questions and providing guidance on adopting improved agricultural technologies. The sessions aimed at bridging the gap between researchers and end users, ensuring that innovations translate into tangible impact at the farm level.
Representing the Director of NaSARRI during the closing session, Dr. Paul Anguria commended the organizers of the agricultural show for creating a platform that promotes research, innovation, and farmer engagement in addressing food security and climate resilience.
He further applauded the improved organization of the exhibition, noting that the arrangement of agricultural products and mechanization technologies in one space created better opportunities for interaction among farmers, researchers, and agribusiness stakeholders.
The exhibition continues to grow every year, and this reflects the increasing interest among farmers and stakeholders. There is need to further expand the exhibition space to accommodate the growing participation and innovations being showcased,” he noted.
The exhibition continues to serve as an important platform for knowledge sharing, technology dissemination, and strengthening partnerships aimed at transforming agriculture in the region.