Farmers in Kumi District have been encouraged to adopt Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills to improve crop production, tackle agricultural challenges, and broaden market opportunities. This call was made during a farmers’ training organized by the Potters Farmers Association in partnership with Humanity Forum Uganda. The event gathered farmer groups and women leaders from various sub-counties across Kumi District to enhance their knowledge of modern farming practices and digital tools.
Historically, farmers in Kumi have depended on local markets for selling their products, often facing exploitation. For instance, groundnuts are sold for 4,000 shillings locally, while they fetch 8,000 shillings in external markets. Similarly, millet is sold at 5,000 shillings in Kumi compared to 6,500 shillings elsewhere, and raw cassava is priced at 200 shillings locally but sells for 1,000 shillings in other markets. This significant price disparity highlights the need for farmers to research market prices post-harvest.
Joseph Balikuddembe, Operations Director of Potters Farmers Association, emphasized that the initiative aims to empower farmers to utilize technology to address agricultural challenges and access better markets.
“We are here to share knowledge on proper farming methods and emphasize the importance of ICT in agriculture. Many farmers own smartphones but do not realize they can use them to access information on pest control, crop management, weather patterns, and market opportunities,” Balikuddembe stated.
He noted that technological advancements now allow farmers to access agricultural information without relying solely on extension workers. “Artificial intelligence, Google, and YouTube provide valuable information that can help farmers tackle challenges on their farms. It is important to know how to use these digital tools effectively,” he added.
Balikuddembe further encouraged farmers to leverage social media platforms to market their produce and negotiate better prices. “Many farmers are no longer growing crops solely for household consumption. Agriculture is now a business. Through social media and online platforms, farmers can connect directly with buyers, expand their markets, and earn better incomes,” he explained. The training also addressed common challenges faced by farmers, particularly pests and diseases that have led to significant losses among groundnut growers in the district.
Balikuddembe noted that participants shared experiences of severe crop losses, with some farmers losing entire gardens due to pest infestations. He urged farmers to combine online information with guidance from agricultural experts.“While digital platforms provide useful information, farmers should continue consulting district agricultural officers and extension workers who conduct research and can provide professional advice tailored to local conditions,” he said.
James Oluka, Executive Director of Humanity Forum Uganda, stated that the training aimed to bridge the information gap between farmers and agricultural extension workers. “We identified a knowledge gap among farmers regarding modern farming practices, ICT utilization, and market access. Through this capacity-building initiative, farmers will gain information, skills, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods,” Oluka explained.
He revealed that the program engaged 15 farmer groups and five women group leaders from Ongino, Mukongoro, Kanyum, Kumi Municipality, and neighboring sub-counties. Oluka urged farmers to implement the knowledge acquired and share it with fellow farmers in their communities.
“We encourage farmers to embrace value addition, improve market access, and form cooperatives. Strong farmer cooperatives can help reduce exploitation by middlemen and strengthen farmers’ bargaining power,” he added.
Alice Iwelo, a farmer from Kumi District, described the training as timely, noting that many farmers had suffered substantial losses from groundnut diseases and pests. “This training has been an eye-opener. We have mainly relied on local markets, but with the ICT knowledge we have gained, I can now advertise my agricultural products on different social media platforms and reach a wider market,” Iwelo stated.
The farmers appealed to Humanity Forum Uganda and its partners to continue organizing similar training programs to equip rural communities with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and market competitiveness-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
