Civil Society actors have collaborated with vendors and market leaders to advance the promotion of organically grown foods, aiming to foster good health and environmental conservation.
This collaboration was disclosed on Friday at the conclusion of a three-day training for selected market leaders from Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, organized by the PELUM Association – Uganda in conjunction with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFOSA).
Activists emphasized their decision to partner with market actors, recognizing their pivotal role in advocating for good health and a sustainable environment.
The training, held at Lake Victoria Hotel in Entebbe, drew over forty participants and ended with a visit to Kitooro – Entebbe Market. During this visit, participants educated vendors and the public about the risks of consuming chemically treated foods and the adverse effects of using chemicals in agriculture.
Hadija Nalule, representing PELUM (U), highlighted that the consumption of chemically treated foods contributes to preventable diseases and explained why the current generation, with its complacent dietary habits, is facing health issues.
“Our objective is to reshape consumer mindsets and instill a greater appreciation for organic and agro-ecological products. We are initiating educational campaigns to highlight the positive aspects of territorial markets and counter any negative perceptions,” said Nalule.
She emphasized the importance of advocacy and awareness campaigns targeting everyone in the food chain, including farmers, food traders, market vendors, and consumers.
Nalule also revealed that stakeholders are actively working on developing a national agro-ecology strategy to guide the organic farming revolution and promote healthy eating practices in the country.
Accompanying Nalule were market leaders from Wandegeya, Nakawa, and Nakasero in Kampala City. They urged the government to raise public awareness and endorse the consumption of organically grown foods.
Nalule stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to safeguard the health of its citizens by conducting necessary sensitization efforts and actively promoting organically grown foods.
Joseph Mudhasi, a market master from Nakawa market, admitted that it was a mistake for African governments to permit the use of chemicals as agricultural inputs.
He noted, “I no longer wonder why our forefathers lived longer than us, thinking we were eating well while consuming foods grown using chemical fertilizers.”
Accompanying the text, Richard Mugisha, from Jerofarm, a supplier to different markets in Kampala, suggested that market masters and managers establish a dedicated section for organically grown foods.
This would allow informed consumers to access such foods without uncertainty about the product’s authenticity.
In conclusion, Zuena Nantme, a market master at Wandegeya Market, urged the government and local authorities to take the initiative to educate communities.
She emphasized the need for more seminars organized by KCCA and the government, stating, “People do not have this information and need to be sensitized.”