Moses Akugizibwe, Agriculture Extension Worker, KRC Uganda. akugizibwemoses1990@gmail.com
World Food Day was commemorated on the 22nd October, 2021 at New Fort View Hotel in Fort Portal Tourism City. The day also coincided with Rwenzori Regional Food Fair. Both activities were jointly organised by KRC Uganda, Joint Efforts to Save the Environment (JESE), and the Local Governments of Kabarole District and Fort Portal Tourism City with financial support from Ile De Paix, Hivos, Broederlijk Delen and Health Food Africa.
The day was commemorated under the theme, “Understanding and appreciating the realities of the Rwenzori Food System”.
The discussions of the day focussed on emerging consumer concerns on food safety, threatened by indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals, poor hygiene and food handling, bureaucratic stifling in product certification processes of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
The day was also marked by exhibition of agroecological farming practices and products, including indigenous foods grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. KRC Uganda in partnership with Vermipro showcased a range of organic agricultural inputs addressing challenges ranging from soil toxicity, soil fertility, pests and diseases, weed management and environmental conservation.
Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Shariff, the Director KRC who officiated for Hon. Alex Ruhunda as Chief Guest implored all food system actors to expand and sustain the food system discourse, and to continually appreciate and deal with systematic challenges of food safety, diversity, climate change and inclusive planning for the poor and vulnerable.
Professor Moses Muhumuza (PhD) and Mr. Kabaseke Clovis (Ecologist) from Mountains of the Moon University iterated the need for thoughtful agroecological shift of the region’s farming system where the environment, healthy food and health people will be guaranteed.
