The National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) will host Africa’s first Organic and Nature Expo in Kampala from November 4 to 7, bringing together more than 2,000 farmers, exporters, investors, researchers and policymakers to explore business opportunities in organic agriculture.
The four-day event will be held at Hotel Africana under the theme “Organic and Regenerative Innovations: Africa’s Competitive Edge”.
It will take place alongside the fifth National Organic Week, with a focus on promoting sustainable farming, improving access to markets and attracting investment into the sector.
Dr Chariton Namuwoza, the chief executive officer of NOGAMU, said the expo would provide an opportunity to connect environmental conservation with business growth, trade, policymaking and practical agricultural solutions.
“It is a timely platform to connect ecological regeneration with enterprise growth, trade, policy and practical action,” Namuwoza said.
He said the event would bring together people involved in producing, regulating, financing, researching, buying and consuming organic and nature-based products.
African farmers will also have an opportunity to showcase indigenous foods and other products, connect with potential buyers and explore markets beyond their home countries.
The expo is expected to attract farmers, processors, exporters, investors, development partners, financial institutions and policymakers from across Africa.
Namuwoza said NOGAMU was also concerned about food safety and the growing public interest in how food is produced and processed.
He urged consumers to pay attention to the quality and source of the food they eat, particularly poultry and meat products.
“It is my appeal to the public that you should be mindful while eating chicken which is as old as one month,” he said, raising concerns about poultry production practices.
Namuwoza also linked his concerns about food production to the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.
However, the relationship between these diseases and genetically modified foods is not established by the remarks alone. Their causes are complex, involving several factors, including diet, lifestyle, genetics and environmental influences.
NOGAMU promotes organic agriculture, which generally relies on farming methods that avoid synthetic fertilisers and most synthetic pesticides while emphasising soil health, biodiversity and ecological balance.
The organisation also supports regenerative approaches that seek to restore soil fertility, conserve natural resources and make farming systems more resilient.
Namuwoza welcomed the National Organic Agriculture Policy, which was launched by the government in September 2020, saying it had helped strengthen the sector.
The policy was developed to support organic agriculture, improve the livelihoods of farmers, protect the environment and expand opportunities for organic products in domestic and international markets.
He said the sector had recorded progress since the policy was introduced, including growth in the number of certified organic farmers and opportunities for Ugandan exporters, particularly those dealing in coffee and other agricultural products.
Certification helps farmers and businesses demonstrate that their products meet recognised organic production and handling standards. It can also improve access to markets where buyers require proof that products have been produced according to specific standards.
Uganda has considerable potential in organic agriculture because of its agricultural land, favourable growing conditions and established production of crops such as coffee, cocoa, fruits and spices.
The country is also recognised as one of Africa’s important organic farming producers. Government policy documents have previously placed Uganda among the leading countries in the number of organic farmers, although rankings and certified land figures vary by reporting year.
NOGAMU hopes the expo will help turn this agricultural potential into greater trade, investment and employment opportunities.
