Despite fertile soils, many people in Uganda suffer from malnutrition and poor diets. Local agriculture is under pressure: monocultures, industrial farming and unregulated markets are displacing traditional cultivation methods. At the same time, there is a lack of knowledge about healthy nutrition and limited political support for agroecological approaches.
Slow Food Uganda and Biovision promote the production, processing and marketing of healthy, locally produced food. The focus is on local markets, awareness-raising in schools, community gardens and the development of seed banks. Smallholder farmers and local producers receive training in agroecological practices and are supported through improved market access. A central role is played by women and young people, whose participation and entrepreneurial initiatives are specifically supported.
Project name:
Slow Food Uganda
Project budget in CHF :
This project is supported by SDC
In the first project phase, seed banks, school gardens and local sales points for healthy food were set up in several regions. Cooking groups, education programmes and media campaigns reached thousands of people with messages on healthy eating. First political progress was made at local level. Demand for safe and healthy food has clearly increased – but many consumers still have no access to it.
In the new phase, the project will expand to ten districts. Even more families should gain access to healthy food and create new sources of income. New market stalls will be set up for smallholder farmers to sell their products directly. Women and young people will receive targeted support to build small businesses around cultivation, processing and sales.
Producers, cooks and vendors will be networked and trained in healthy nutrition and traditional recipes. Schools will establish gardens where children learn how food grows and why diversity on the plate matters. The project will also engage in political processes. The aim is to ensure that healthy food and agroecological farming are increasingly considered in public policies – for example, in school meals or public procurement.
