“Resilience is about equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge to thrive, not just to survive in the face of climate change,”. This was said by Dr.Everline Komutunga, a senior Researcher with the National Agricultural Organization (NARO)- Soils and agro-metreology program based at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL)in Kawanda. She highlighted this at the Integrated Pest and Disease Management and Agroecology Workshop organized by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research and Central Africa (ASARECA).
Such regional training brings together women and youth farmers, scientists, extension workers, and private sector actors from across Eastern and Central Africa to gain practical skills in sustainable crop pest and disease management and agroecological practices. Participants experienced innovative, hands-on nature-based solutions and are tuned to become champions of agroecology in their communities. Topics included technologies to optimize rainwater use in farming, strategies for improving productivity in rain-fed systems under changing climate conditions, the importance of empowering communities to adopt climate change adaptive practices, Integrated Nutrient management, Agro-biodiversity and permaculture, the push-pull technology in IPDM, Regenerative agriculture among others.
The hands on-training of trainers on Integrated Pest and Disease Management and Agroecology was held from the 14th to 18th July 2025 in Uganda. The training attracted participants from ASARECA countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Burundi and Uganda the host country. Trainers from NARO-NARL among others were Dr. Tindamanyire Jimmy, Dr. Everline Komutunga, Dr. Onesmus Ssemalulu and Dr. Nankya Eseri. The hands-on training by Dr. Nankya Eseri emphasized how to improve and maintain soil health, which is fundamental in agroecology, providing the foundation for a sustainable food production and healthy ecosystems.
“Healthy soils support plant growth, mitigates climate change and enhances biodiversity while reducing reliance on external inputs like pesticides and fertilizers” “, noted Dr. Nankya Eseri, a soil and an environmental scientist and lead trainer of the training of trainers’ workshop. Among the practical sessions were climate smart technologies that conserve top soil and soil moisture as well as improve crop yields. These included among others; the infiltration trenches, grass strips, hedgerows, soil bunds, ZAI pits, tools for establishment of contour lines across a given landscape. That is; the “A” and “H” frames were also practically demonstrated. Other technologies that were demonstrated include quality manure preparation and Biochar making that enhance soil fertility and carbon sequestration respectively.
The Soils Agro-Meteorology and Environment Program of NARO is mandated to generate and promote tools, recommendations and technologies for improved soil and water management, sustainable land use and resilience to climate change.
It is estimated that up to 12% of the gross domestic product (GDP) is lost through environmental degradation, with 85% of this from a combined effect of soil erosion, nutrient loss and subsequent decline in crop yield. About 12% of Uganda’s GDP is lost through environmental degradation and an estimated 41% of Uganda’s land is degraded.
Among the research objectives of this program at NARL include to develop and promote technology for enhancing water and nutrient utilizing in the soil. Develop and promote innovative approaches for scaling up sustainable land management technologies. Update and promote the fertilizer recommendations. Develop and promote climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies. The trained participants will be expected to use the knowledge and skills gained from training on IPM, biological control and organic farming to advance Agroecology to further train other farmers and other stakeholders within their cooperatives and communities.
Uganda is one of the most promising countries in Eastern Africa that is embracing the use of sustainable farming practices including organic agriculture, agroecology and integrated pest and disease management in maize, coffee, cocoa, avocado, vegetables and banana. Some of the commonly used products for control of crop pests and diseases include the use of beneficial insects (Parasitoids), predatory mites, beneficial nematodes, and microorganisms like bacteria and fungi (such as Aflasafe). However, use of IPDM is intensive and farmers require adequate training to effectively practice organic agriculture and climate smart agriculture. However, the affected farmers, most of whom are women, have limited access and application of biopesticides in these sustainable.
The training is an output of the Capacity development program under the auspices of ASARECA’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme expillar IV (CAADP-XP4) Programme. The workshop contributes to CAADP-XP4 Programme activity that focuses on establishing a staff development program, including mentorship and exchange programs within the region’s international partners. ASARECA is a subregional Inter-Governmental organization of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) of 15 Member States. The Member States have mandated ASARECA to regionally coordinate and convenes human, physical, financial, and institutional capital to implement Agricultural Research for Development initiatives in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA).