Voices of Ntungamo: The role of youth in agriculture and food security
Contributor : Sara Lamsili, Jnr Project Communication Manager
Uganda has the second-largest youth population in the world, with 78% of its citizens below the age of 35. This number is projected to double within 25 years (UNICEF). As a result, this highlights the need to have a population that is not only healthy and well-fed but also educated and supported. In parallel, Uganda’s economy remains agrarian as it contributes to 25% of the national GDP and employs 68% of their workforce (Uganda Bureau of Statistics, 2024).
During field visits in March 2025, and in the spirit of capturing the essential role of young people in agriculture, a member of our team sat down with Bruno Mugisha, a farmer working in Ntungamo, a town in the Western Region of Uganda. This farm is a beneficiary of Producers Direct, one of the UCCP (Uplifting Income and Climate Resilience in Biodiverse Ugandan Smallholder Coffee Systems) project partners specializing in income diversification through the selling of diversified products.
Bruno Mugisha, the farmer.
Beyond coffee, how are young agripreneurs in Mbarara helping farmers sell diversified products (honey, vegetables, coffee)?
”We, as young farmers who are coming up, have been able to produce good quality coffee. The new variety that is being introduced is not affected by wear and tear—it performs well in the environment, and when we compare it to the old one, it is better.
The price is high because the market is there. The equipment is there too, but the problem is getting access to it—that’s what is affecting us.
Beyond coffee, other young agripreneurs in the region are supporting diversification by promoting beekeeping and vegetable production. These products not only provide alternative income streams, but also offer farmers more stability in the face of price fluctuations or crop failure. Some youth-led initiatives are helping farmers adopt improved techniques, process and package their goods, and connect to buyers through more organized channels.
This growing network of young entrepreneurs is contributing to a more resilient and market-responsive agricultural landscape.”
What is the impact of the FarmDirect marketing app when it comes to market access?
”When we go to the market, people are really interested in our products. They want what we bring, especially because we are working under organic production. Our products do not contain chemicals, so there are no harmful effects on the clients.
The market is there. People want these things. But the problem is that what they want—what we produce—is still in small quantities.
FarmDirect helps us reach those buyers more easily. It connects us straight to the market. But sometimes we are not producing enough to meet all that demand. That is the challenge we are facing. So while access has improved, the next step is making sure we can scale up our production to meet the needs of the clients who are looking for these products.”
Banana tree inside a farm in Ntungamo.
In your opinion, what is the role and impact of young people in agriculture and food security?
”Young people need more sensitization. In the past, even our fathers and mothers would say that agriculture was only for local people – in the sense where farming happens because you have nothing else to do.
Now, we see agriculture as the way forward. Our country depends on agriculture. And we, as young people, are starting to enjoy the fruits of it – because when we go into farming, we get food, we also earn some money and get to make an impact.
Today, the perspective is shifting. We enjoy farming, and we, as young people, are also the future of food security. We want to make sure there is enough food, so that when hard times strike and there is scarcity, we are able to feed our families and support our communities.”
As Uganda is still grappling with the challenges of food insecurity, unemployment and growing population, empowering young farmers like Bruno through agricultural initiatives has become essential. This is a story of how innovation, energy and resilience are reshaping the way agriculture is perceived, practiced and passed on to the next generations.
References
Uganda Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Revised annual GDP 2023/24: October release. https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/Revised-Annual-GDP-2023_24-October-Release.pdf
UNICEF. (n.d.). Amplifying voices for Young People. UNICEF Uganda. https://www.unicef.org/uganda/what-we-do/u-report