Mak recognized at the 5th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week(AAEW) for its contribution to research and training

December 2, 2021
Mariam Kasemiire
0

Prof. Margaret Najjingo Mangheni (2nd row, left) and some of the dignitaries at the official opening of the AAEW 2021

Makerere University was recognized for its great contribution to agricultural research and training. This was during the 5th Africa-wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) that took place on 14-20th November 2021 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, Uganda.

The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS). Organized under the theme “Effective Agricultural Extension Systems for Sustainable Agripreneurship in Africa” , the week-long blended physical and virtual event attracted over 1,000 participants from 17 countries in Africa.

The event was officially graced by Uganda’s Prime Minister, represented by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Alhajji Moses Ali; the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze; the Permanent Secretary of MAAIF, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama; the President of AGRA represented by Vice President, Program Innovation & Delivery, Ms Agnes Asiimwe Konde, the President of Sasakawa Africa Association and the Commissioner of Agriculture at the African Union, among others.

Key highlights that emerged include: the need to initiate and strengthen partnerships for greater impact, rebranding extension to attract the youth, and adopting gender-responsive approaches, tools and methodologies. The latter was emphasized by Dr Harold Roy-Macauley, Regional Director, East and Southern Africa, One CGIAR, who fronted gender equality as one of the strategic directions. He also expressed a desire to link with AFAAS for scaling CGIAR innovations in Africa.

Makerere University’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is a member of the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) and was integral in organizing the event. At the event, CAES was represented by Prof. Margaret Najjingo Mangheni, the Founding Chairperson of UFAAS and Board member of AFAAS; and Dr Richard Miiro, the Board member of UFAAS representing academic institutions in Uganda.

**Prof. Margaret Najjingo Mangheni (L) and Dr Richard Miiro at the 5th Agricultural Extension Week 2021**

Makerere recognized for agricultural research and training:

Mr Edwin Bekunda, the Director of The Edwin Foundation Tea Initiative (EFOTI), a private company recognized the role of Makerere University in research and training. He requested the institution to explore partnership to improve the tea industry in Northern Uganda.