agriculture 5 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda to Train Youth in Critical Agricultural Technical Skills
The Ugandan government is developing a new training curriculum to equip young people with essential skills in agricultural mechanization, irrigation, and soil management, aiming to boost the sector and create employment. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-moves-to-train-youth-in-agricultural-technical-skills-5585190
The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), is set to launch a comprehensive training program designed to equip the nation’s youth with vital technical skills in agriculture. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), aims to bridge a significant gap in skilled labor within the agricultural sector, which has been hindering efforts towards commercialization and transformation.
The curriculum will focus on practical competencies, including agricultural mechanization, irrigation system operation and maintenance, farm structure construction, and soil testing. Officials noted that a shortage of local expertise in these areas has often led to reliance on foreign workers, a situation the new program seeks to rectify.
“We want a knowledgeable person, a person who is skilled, but also in terms of behaviour, a person with attitude to provide a service,” stated Dr. James Higenyi, a principal veterinary officer at MAAIF, emphasizing the holistic approach to training. The program is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, preparing graduates for immediate employment or entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the initiative will address the critical issue of soil fertility management. With declining soil health impacting agricultural productivity, the training will include methods for soil testing using portable kits. This will empower young technicians to offer localized soil analysis services to farmers, helping them make informed decisions about fertilization and potentially reducing costs.
By focusing on mechanization and technical support, the program also aims to enhance agricultural productivity through better machinery operation and maintenance. Stakeholders, including educational institutions and examination bodies like UBTEB, are currently validating the draft curriculum. Upon accreditation, it is expected to create a pool of certified agricultural service providers, tackling both youth unemployment and the modernization needs of Uganda’s agriculture.