The 5th Uganda National Agricultural Extension Week (NAEW), held from October 29 to November 1, 2024, at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi, Kampala, brought together agricultural stakeholders under the theme, “Making Extension Count for Robust, Resilient, and Competitive Agri-Food Systems.” This annual event, organized by the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF), provided a platform for the promotion of innovation, building resilience, and sharing best practices in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS).

As a long-standing partner, the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) played a central role in the event, contributing to discussions and showcasing innovations. SAA was also honored with a certificate of appreciation and received recognition for its continued impact on Uganda's agricultural landscape.

During the event, the SAA exhibition booth attracted 52 visitors, including farmers, extension workers, and development partners. The booth showcased SAA’s innovative agricultural technologies, post-harvest handling methods, regenerative farming practices, and digital tools for precision agriculture. It provided an interactive platform where visitors explored SAA’s market-oriented and nutrition-sensitive solutions aimed at empowering farming communities. 

Guest of Honor, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, State Minister for Animal Industry, spotlighted Uganda’s journey toward a demand-driven extension system and the need for targeted interventions to support subsistence farmers.

SAA emphasized its focus on the commercialization of Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs). Speaking at the booth, SAA representatives shared plans to collaborate with UFAAS and MAAIF to professionalize and certify the Commercial Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs) as district-level extension service providers. This move aims to enhance trust and collaboration among farmers, private sector actors, and extension agents, ensuring sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth. 

The Extension Week also served as a platform for discussing broader agricultural issues, including resilience to climate change, inclusivity, food safety, and leveraging digital technologies. SAA aligned with these goals by highlighting its commitment to regenerative agriculture, soil health, and market-driven extension services. 

The event concluded with actionable recommendations, including promoting Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) as a business, advancing digital technologies for inclusivity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to modernize agriculture.

NAEW 2024 reaffirmed the urgency of addressing systemic challenges within Uganda’s agricultural extension framework. As participants departed, they carried forward a shared vision to enhance AEAS visibility, foster collaborative innovations, and build a robust, resilient agricultural system capable of withstanding future challenges. Through events like these, Uganda solidifies its path toward achieving its Vision 2040 goals.