c - Agriculture Research Extension Network (ARENET)

One of the major functions of Uganda National Farmers Association (UNFA) is to
provide agricultural advisory services to farmers. This is aimed at increasing
farm productivity and production in order to ensure household food security.
generation of income and eradication of poverty. Publicaticln of reading materials
is one of the ways in which improved agricultural technologies can be extended to
farmers.
UNFA's agricultural advisory services are demand driven and based on cost
recovery. They are implemented by District coordinators, agricultural advisors,
extension link farmers and contact farmers. The technologies are introduced to
farmers through on-farm demonstrations/trials, courses and visits to special
interest groups and individual farmers. Ilowever, coverage is still limited due to
inadequate resources.
To re-enforce these activities, there is need to avail reading materials on specific
enterprises of interest to farmers. However, even such materials tailored to their
local needs are not readi!y available. This has contribute:d to the slow rate of'
adoption of improved technologies, thus reducing the productiv~ty and
production.
There has been a growing demand by farmers ana prxvate organisations for books
that can guide farmers to manage specific enterprises. To address this problem,
UNFA has produced farmers' books on improved agricultural technologies with
the most up-to-date recommendations in specific disciplines of agriculture. The
books are aimed at giving practical guidelines to the farmer on how to manage his
or her enterprise profitably. For si~sfainable production, wFA encourages all
farmers to take on farming as a business.
It is advisable that farmers get the relevant training first, and use these books as a
reference to re-enforce learning. In addition, they are advised to constantly
consult extension workers in their respective areas, as this combination will lead
to successes in farming.
UNFA, therefore, calls upon all farmers to utilise the information in these books
2nd share it with others so as to cause a. multiplier effect in production.
Hon. ~aikut
Chebet, MP
President,
Uganda National Farmers Association.