We are the Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES). We are responsible for the overseeing of agricultural technology diffusion through the management of an extension delivery service in the country.
Agricultural Extension Services In Uganda
An agricultural extension service offers technical advice on agriculture to farmers, and also supplies them with the necessary inputs and services to support their agricultural production. It provides information to farmers and passes to the farmers new ideas developed by agricultural research stations.
Based on our understanding of the concept and objectives of extension we can identify four main elements which form part of the process of extension viz.: i) knowledge and skills, ii) technical advice and information, iii) motivation, involvement and self-confidence, iv) farmers’ and peoples’ organisation for practice.
Agricultural extension (also known as agricultural advisory services) plays a crucial role in boosting agricultural productivity, increasing food security, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting agriculture as an engine of pro-poor economic growth.
Principles of agricultural extension involve the factors that guide the activities of Agricultural Extension and how decisions are taken. The principles propel extension activities and programmes which are planned to motivate the farmers to adopt the introduced technologies.
Private Extension Services cover seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, machineries, credit, insurance, contract farming, export, advisory etc and many private players like progressive farmers, farmers’ organisations (CIGs, FPOs), including cooperatives are direct stakeholders under this system.
The agriculture Extension Officer will be responsible for providing extension services to project framers from time to time and motivate them to adopt the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for improved quality & yield of their produce.
The National Agricultural Extension Service Delivery System
Main functions
- Provide information and communication services to MAAIF and local governments
- Strengthen inter-institutional linkages between research, educational and farmer institutions
- Promote agribusiness services and agricultural value chain development in close collaboration with the private sector
- Support farmer institutional development through capacity building programs
- Support skilling and manpower development in the agricultural sector
- Identify investment opportunities in the agricultural sector
Key Interventions Areas:
- Policies, strategies, plans and guidelines
- Human Resource Development
- Coordination of Agricultural Extension Services
- Regulation of Agricultural Extension Services
- Support to Farmer Institutional Development
- Technology Development, Packaging and Dissemination
- Agribusiness Development Services and Market Linkage
- Agricultural Knowledge Management and Information
- Youth involvement in Agriculture.
National Agricultural Extension Strategic interventions
- The areas for policy intervention focused on improving:
- Policy and regulatory environment
- Delivery system,
- Technical content and
- Access of extension services by beneficiaries
Strategies developed were aimed at achieving the policy strategic objectives.
Policy Strategic Areas:
- The policy identified eight strategic areas for intervention:
- Establishment of an effective organizational and institutional framework for pluralistic agricultural extension services
- Regulation and quality assurance of extension services
- Human Resource Management and Capacity Development
- Technology Development, Packaging and Dissemination
- Agribusiness Development Services and Market Linkages
- Agricultural Knowledge Management and Information
- Farmer organizations and empowerment
- Targeting youth, gender and other vulnerable groups
Products Provided By Agricultural Extension Services
Integrated Pest Management.
Soil Health.
Nongovernmental Organizations.
Fertilizers.
Livestock.
Dairies.
Highlands.
Successful extension agents need several specific qualities. You need excellent public speaking skills, and you should be comfortable working with large groups of people. You must understand agricultural education practices, family and consumer science, and have a knack for writing and building presentations.
Extension workers have some common roles: educating farmers and producers so that the farmers/producers can help themselves; linking farmers/producers with research-based information to improve agricultural production, productivity, processing and marketing of agricultural goods and services.
List Of Agricultural Extension Services In Uganda
Below Are The Partial List Of Agricultural Extension Services In Uganda
Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services
Contact the Ministry
P.O Box 102, Entebbe Plot 16-18,. Lugard Avenue
Entebbe Uganda. Email: info@agriculture.go.ug
MAAIF Agricultural Extension Services
Contact the Ministry
P.O Box 102, Entebbe Plot 16-18,. Lugard Avenue
Entebbe Uganda
Email: info@agriculture.go.ug
How Much Does It Cost For Agricultural Extension Services In Uganda?
Our results showed that the unit cost of providing agricultural extension services that result in increased productivity, better nutrition as well as higher incomes to farmers is UGX 66,290 per visit.
How Do You Call An Agricultural Extension Services In Uganda?
Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry
P.O Box 102, Entebbe Plot 16-18,
Lugard Avenue, Entebbe Uganda.
Email: info@agriculture.go.ug
Tel: 041 4320004