Agricultural officials in Mayuge District have shifted their focus to young people after struggling to convince farmers to embrace modern farming methods and research services.
Despite continuous efforts to introduce advanced agricultural technologies aimed at increasing productivity and resilience to climate change, officials say farmer engagement has remained disappointingly low—raising concerns about the region’s future food security.
“Many of our farmers remain tied to outdated farming methods and traditional crop varieties that produce poor yields and cannot withstand pests, diseases, or climate shocks,” said Dr. Sadik Kassim, deputy director general in charge of Agricultural Technology Promotion.
“We’ve now decided to target the youth, particularly students, so they can take modern farming knowledge back to their families and communities.”
Dr. Kassim explained that their new approach includes holding field days and outreach programs specifically tailored for schools. He believes this strategy will help cultivate a new generation of farmers eager to apply scientific farming techniques and innovations.
At the Ikulwe Satellite Centre in Mayuge, frustration runs high among agricultural researchers.
Dr Moses Kayiira, a senior research officer at the centre, said it is disheartening to see farmers living next to the research facility still stuck in low-yield farming practices.
“It is painful that farmers who live just across from the research station are still harvesting very little because of their unwillingness to adopt new methods,” he said.
Dr. Kayiira likened the agricultural system to a pyramid—with research at the top, extension workers at one corner, and farmers at the other. However, he said the weak link between extension workers and farmers has created a major disconnect in the flow of knowledge.
“There’s a gap in the extension system,” he noted.
“In many cases, when we invite farmers for training, their first question is whether we will pay them transport allowances. This mindset makes it difficult to engage them effectively, so we’ve chosen to work with the young generation studying agriculture. They are more open-minded and can act as change agents in their homes.”
Peter Nkwanga Tasibula, Vice Chairperson of Mayuge District, said the reluctance among local farmers is rooted in deeply conservative attitudes toward agriculture.
“Our farmers need to change their outlook and take full advantage of the research centre’s resources,” he said.
“Modern agriculture is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. I also urge the government to upgrade the Ikulwe Satellite Centre into an independent research facility instead of leaving it under the Bukinyagi Zonal Research Centre.”
Emmanuel Waiswa Kawuzi, the district’s Senior Agricultural Officer, also called on the research centre to focus more on crops that are crucial to the region’s economy.
“We want the centre to prioritize key crops like cocoa, which is increasingly becoming a major crop in Busoga,” he said.
“Farmers urgently need access to improved cocoa clones to boost both yields and incomes.”
As agricultural authorities shift their attention to younger generations, they hope the seeds of change will take root—ensuring that the benefits of scientific research reach households and strengthen food security across Mayuge and beyond.
