The Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF) Uganda will launch the fourth edition of the National Schools Agroecology Poem Writing Competition on June 5, 2026, at Serere Township Secondary School in Serere District, strengthening efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and nutrition security among young people.
The competition is being implemented in partnership with Oxfam in Uganda, Humundi, the Agroecology Fund, the Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Curriculum Development Centre.
The initiative comes amid increasing concerns over climate change, soil degradation, food insecurity and biodiversity loss, challenges that continue to affect communities across Uganda and the wider world.
Since its introduction in 2023, the Schools Agroecology Poem Writing Competition has provided learners with a platform to creatively engage with issues surrounding food systems, agriculture, health and environmental sustainability. The programme complements Uganda's Competency-Based Curriculum by encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges within their communities.
This year's competition is themed, “Agroecology in Action: Cultivating Healthy School Diets.”
The launch event will bring together local government leaders, teachers, learners, small-scale farmers and farmer leaders to celebrate innovative approaches to sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.
Learners participating through Agroecology Clubs will showcase poems reflecting their understanding of agroecological practices and their role in building resilient food systems. The event will also feature tree-planting activities within the school compound as part of the commemoration of World Environment Day, demonstrating a practical commitment to environmental restoration and conservation.
ESAFF Uganda has established 21 Agroecology Clubs in schools across the country, providing young people with opportunities to learn sustainable farming practices that promote soil health, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and healthy diets.
Through these clubs, learners are encouraged to become ambassadors of environmentally friendly farming practices within their schools and communities.
Speaking about the programme, Grace Baguma, Executive Director of the National Curriculum Development Centre, described the initiative as both timely and aligned with Uganda's lower secondary curriculum reforms.
“This is a very encouraging intervention because it exposes learners to farming practices that minimize reliance on chemicals and instead utilize locally available resources. Such approaches contribute to environmental protection, food preservation, food security, and practical learning,” she said.
ESAFF Uganda National Coordinator Nancy Mugimba said this year's competition will place greater emphasis on translating knowledge into action.
“Beyond writing poems, learners will be required to demonstrate the agroecological practices highlighted in their compositions. This practical assessment will help bridge the gap between creativity and real-life implementation, ensuring that learners become active agents of change,” Mugimba explained.
Small-scale farmers have also welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important avenue for nurturing innovation and environmental responsibility among young people.
Grace Edith Nalwedde said the competition encourages learners to critically examine environmental challenges and develop practical solutions.
“These platforms help young people explore innovative ways of addressing issues such as soil degradation and environmental destruction while encouraging communities to utilize locally available resources in sustainable ways,” she said.
Organizers say the competition is also intended to strengthen food and nutrition security by encouraging schools and communities to adopt agroecological farming methods that support healthy diets and improve resilience to climate-related shocks.
According to ESAFF Uganda, the programme forms part of broader efforts to cultivate a generation of informed and responsible citizens capable of contributing to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and resilient food systems.
The organization has called upon government institutions, development partners, schools, farmers' organizations and members of the public to support agroecology education initiatives, arguing that collective action is critical to building sustainable food systems that can meet the needs of present and future generations.
As the fourth edition of the competition gets underway, organizers remain optimistic that empowering learners through creativity, practical skills and environmental awareness will make a meaningful contribution to Uganda's food security, climate resilience and sustainable development goals.