The Uganda Prisons Service has established Farmer Field Schools to strengthen practical agricultural knowledge and improve productivity among farmers across the country.

Speaking during the 32nd National Agricultural Show in Jinja, Senior Superintendent of Prisons Generous Behabura Betunga said the initiative is intended to bridge the knowledge gap among farmers by providing hands-on, location-specific agricultural training.

Betunga explained that Uganda has diverse agro-ecological zones, each requiring farming practices suited to its unique environmental conditions. However, many farmers often adopt techniques from other regions without adapting them to their local environment, a practice that can affect productivity.

"Uganda is blessed with several agro-ecological zones, but many farmers face challenges because they copy and paste farming practices from one area to another without adjusting to their local conditions," Betunga said.

To address this challenge, the Uganda Prisons Service has established Farmer Field Schools where farmers can receive practical guidance in crop and livestock production tailored to their specific locations.

Betunga revealed that the first Farmer Field School has been established in the Busoga sub-region. The facility will serve as a permanent exhibition and learning centre where farmers can access practical agricultural knowledge throughout the year.

According to her, the centre will have full-time agronomists, veterinarians and technical staff who will assess farmers' needs and provide step-by-step guidance on appropriate farming practices.

She added that the training programme will benefit both individual farmers and organised groups by helping them identify their strengths, address existing gaps and adopt practices that improve farm productivity.

The initiative is expected to enhance farmers' practical skills, increase agricultural productivity and promote sustainable farming practices that are suited to local agro-ecological conditions.

The establishment of the Farmer Field Schools also underscores the Uganda Prisons Service's growing contribution to Uganda's agricultural transformation through knowledge-sharing, innovation and community empowerment.