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info@afirduganda.org / afirdug@gmail.com
+256705143316
Advocacy and Lobbying Program (ALP)
Strategic Objective: To influence decision-makers and agricultural policies that affect the livelihoods of the small-holder farmers through community cooperation and synergies with supporting stakeholders on the topics of farmers’ rights, and sustainable and organic farming.
Background
Agricultural Policy and Service Delivery Gaps
The Ugandan government seeks to boost labor productivity by fostering community involvement in development and supporting vulnerable groups. However, significant challenges remain:
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Agricultural initiatives are predominantly top-down, which restricts smallholder farmer participation.
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A staggering 63% of smallholder farmers have not benefited from government agricultural programs.
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Barriers such as low literacy and inadequate mobilization obstruct farmers' access to essential inputs and extension services.
Land Tenure and Management Issues
Land tenure is crucial for agricultural success, yet it faces persistent issues:
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Increasing land conflicts due to grabbing, disputed transfers, and boundary disputes.
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Women and youth are often excluded from land ownership.
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Ineffective land administration and dispute resolution mechanisms hinder progress.
AFIRD’s Past Interventions
In the previous strategic period, AFIRD concentrated on:
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Enhancing farmer capacity to secure land rights.
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Promoting awareness about budgeting, seed saving, and land policy.
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Creating advocacy materials focused on land rights and indigenous food.
Persistent Challenges
Despite advancements, challenges remain:
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The prevalence of counterfeit agricultural inputs.
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Limited access to nutritious food.
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Gender discrimination in land access.
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Lack of awareness regarding agricultural policies and farmers' rights.
Implementation Strategy
AFIRD will employ:
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A Human Rights-Based Approach to Development.
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Evidence-based advocacy.
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Strategic partnerships with organizations like PELUM, ACSA, SEATINI, Food Rights Alliance, and relevant government bodies.
Key Result Areas and Interventions
Engagement in Government Programs and Policies
1. Challenges
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Farmer participation in government programs is limited.
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Access to agricultural services is poor.
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There is a lack of structured advocacy platforms.
2. Proposed Interventions
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Develop community-based mechanisms for policy monitoring.
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Train farmers in advocacy and lobbying.
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Amplify farmer voices at various administrative levels.
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Support local advocacy committees and engage in government budget processes.
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Enhanced Access to Advocacy Information
1. Challenges
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Farmers lack access to vital policy information.
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Awareness of rights and government programs is limited.
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There is a need for evidence-based advocacy materials.
2. Proposed Interventions
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Translate and share agricultural policies.
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Update and publish AFIRD’s advocacy activities online.
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Document and disseminate advocacy case studies.
Strengthening Organic Agriculture and Permaculture in Government Programs
1. Challenges
- Insufficient government emphasis on organic agriculture.
- Limited adoption of sustainable farming practices.
2. Proposed Interventions
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Facilitate dialogues with local officials and leaders.
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Network at national and local levels.
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Participate in agricultural events and symposiums.
Advocating for Children’s Right to Access Nutritious Food
1. Challenges
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Poor nutrition in schools and homes.
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Limited awareness of children's food rights.
2. Proposed Interventions
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Conduct nutrition and food rights training.
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Use educational institutions to advocate for improved child nutrition.
Implementation Approach
Community Empowerment
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Train smallholder farmers and women's groups in policy engagement.
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Establish mentorship programs for advocacy.
Stakeholder Collaboration
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Collaborate with CSOs, government agencies, and farmer organizations.
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Foster multi-stakeholder dialogues.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
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Conduct assessments to track baseline and impact.
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Monitor policy changes and improvements in service delivery using ICT tools.
Performance Indicators
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Increased farmer involvement in policy-making.
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Growth in community-led advocacy initiatives.
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Enhanced awareness of land rights and agricultural policies.
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Expansion of organic agriculture in government programs.
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Improved nutrition advocacy in schools.
Conclusion
The Advocacy & Lobbying Program (ALP) seeks to empower smallholder farmers to influence policies and demand improved services. Through community-driven advocacy, engagement with government, and collaboration with stakeholders, AFIRD aims to create a supportive policy environment for sustainable agriculture.
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