In Uganda, the ESFIM partner Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) has decided to focus on the implementation of NAADS (National Agricultural Advisory Services). NAADS is a government-run program to improve the Ugandan agricultural sector. However, there are serious constraints which hamper the efficient implementation of the programme and concerns about the benefits for small holders from the programme.
Therefore, UNFFE decided to task itself with the action-research theme: “Auditing the effectiveness of legislation and policies that affect farmers with specific reference to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)”. UNFFE’s other partners (UCA, the Agriprofocus-Uganda network, SNV and Pelum Uganda engaged in further articulating this agenda.
- Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE) is a home to farmers across Uganda. Its goal is to promote favourable policies for farmers and strengthen farmer organisations.
- The Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) was formed the purposes of promoting, advocating and building the capacities of all types of co-operatives in the country (primary societies, district and national unions).
ESFIM Progress Report 2011
The ‘Support to advocacy agenda through collaborative research’ component of the ESFIM programme assists NFOs in developing countries with formulating feasible, evidence-based propositions for changes in key elements in the institutional environment that will enable effective market access for small-holders. In the annual report (ESFIM Progress report January-December 2011-En), an update of the progress of AGRINATURA research support is presented for the year 2011.
ESFIM-Uganda Policy Issues
In July 2010, a project consultant and former advocacy officer was hired to facilitate the process and coordinate research with UNFFE, UCA (Uganda Cooperative Alliance), the Agriprofocus-Uganda network, SNV and PELUM Uganda. The four research themes that were identified during the workshop held in December 2008 served as the basis for several rounds of discussions and consultations with the mentioned organisations. This led to the decision that UNFFE would start with one priority theme: “Auditing the effectiveness of legislation and policies that affect farmers with specific reference to the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)”.
A detailed proposal was developed for this theme in consultation with UNFFE, UCA, the Agriprofocus-Uganda network, SNV and PELUM Uganda, by title: “Action Research to Audit the Effectiveness of NAADS and proposals for Reform: The NAADS that farmers want”:
- To facilitate a data driven consensus on the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of NAADS from the farmers’ point of view;
- To benchmark and analyze different extension model scenarios with a view of recommending progressive models that deliver what takes care of farmers concerns;
- To deliver farmers’ NAADs blue print detailing a road map for reform.
- To provide evidence so that to UNFFE can conduct effective advocacy.
- Map the power /influence matrix to underpin reforms in NAADs.
Fire-place conversations
UNFFE has hired a consultant to do preliminary survey with farmers to get their opinion on NAADS, resulting in “The NAADS that farmers want – dialogue report”. This served as an input into the first Focus Group Dialogue, held on February 3rd 2011. This first Focus Group Dialogue brought together key stakeholders, from the private sector, (inter)national NGOs, government (including representatives of Ministry of Agriculture and the NAADS secretariat), farmers and researchers. UNFFE has also engaged the Ministry of Finance where improving NAADS was one of the key issues discussed. Both the research theme and workshop initiative were well received by government and NAADS officials. They welcomed the audit from UNFFE and stated that it is the first (local) of its kind.
During the Dialogue, the results of the dialogue report were discussed as well as the implementation of NAADS. The main results of the consultations on key issues and constraints on NAADS have been so far:
- Overpricing of inputs / poor quality technologies to farmers
- Poor public relations at local government level
- A flawed selection process for the six model (only rich farmers or those in political leadership benefited from NAADS.
- Annual growth in the Ugandan agriculture sector continues to fall, despite the investments made by NAADS
After the Dialogue, a fact finding survey was done to analyse the effectiveness of the NAADS programme. This included developing the questionnaire, selecting regions and respondents. Farmers groups that do and do not participate in NAADS were interviewed about their experiences with NAADS in so-called ‘fire-place meetings’. The information was collected in progress reports which will serve as a basis to craft an advocacy strategy to improve NAADS.
Advocacy strategies
Meanwhile, UNFFE is also consolidating relations and is participating in consultations with key policy stakeholders such as Ministry of Agriculture and NAADS secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.
UNFFE further participated in the National Farmers council which brought together national stakeholders, development partners (specifically FAO) and Farmer leaders from all districts. They discussed farmer related policy and other issues.
UNFFE also participated in the launching of the Eastern Africa Agriculture productivity program (EAAPP), which attracted participants from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. UNFFE pushed for the farmer involvement in research and Technology dissemination activities of the EAAPP .
ESFIM-Uganda Documents
Collaborative research output
Progress Report on NAADS and proposals for Reform – UNFFE fnl - June 2011
This action study focuses on the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), a heavily capitalised program of government that aims at transformation of public delivery of agricultural extension services into a largely private sector-led delivery system under a client or farmer controlled arrangement.
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The Naads That Farmers want – Dialogue Report, February 2011
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Report on a dialogue to start the NAADS That Farmers Want study.
Country Proposals
ESFIM-National_Project_Proposal_-_UGANDA
