Eighty-three farmers from across Ssembabule District gained practical knowledge on climate-smart agriculture during a Farmers’ Field Day organized by COSMA Sustainable Rural Development in partnership with the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP). The event brought together technical experts from Bayer, Grain Pulse Limited, the Uganda Coffee Farmers' Alliance, and Osho Chemical Industries Limited, who delivered practical training on improved farming practices, quality agricultural inputs, and climate-smart technologies to strengthen farmers' productivity and climate resilience.
Held at Mateete Sub-county Headquarters, the Farmers Field Day attracted farmers, local government leaders, extension workers, and representatives from the private sector, creating a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration on sustainable agricultural development. The event underscored the importance of partnerships in equipping smallholder farmers with the skills, technologies, and support needed to improve productivity and strengthen their livelihoods.
The field day comes at a critical time for Ssembabule District, where prolonged dry spells and increasingly unpredictable rainfall continue to threaten agricultural production. Through practical demonstrations and interactive learning sessions, participants gained hands-on knowledge of climate-smart farming practices, the use of certified agricultural inputs, and improved crop management techniques that can help build climate resilience while increasing farm productivity.
Participants received hands-on training in climate-resilient maize and coffee production, responsible fertilizer use, soil health, and integrated crop protection. Technical experts demonstrated best practices while farmers exchanged experiences and explored solutions to common production challenges.
Speaking during the event, COSMA Executive Director Charles Nsambya reaffirmed the organization's commitment to empowering rural farming communities through sustainable agriculture, strategic partnerships, and farmer-centred innovation. He emphasized that improving agricultural productivity requires more than training—it demands sustained access to quality knowledge, appropriate technologies, and quality agricultural inputs.
Representing the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), Josephine Ndagire described AFAP as a bridge connecting farmers to reliable suppliers of certified agricultural inputs. She highlighted the positive impact of AFAP's ongoing partnership with COSMA in expanding farmers' access to quality seed agricultural inputs and improved agricultural knowledge, She announced plans to establish 10 demonstration plots with COSMA farmer groups during Season B of 2026 to provide continuous learning opportunities and showcase improved agricultural practices under local conditions.
One of the most inspiring moments of the field day came from Emmanuel Ssemyalo of Buyonza Village, a member of Ssuubi Village Cooperative, who shared his experience managing one of COSMA's demonstration plots of season A (2026). Emmanuel explained that the DK9089 hybrid maize, grown using recommended agronomic practices and Grain Pulse fertilizers accessed through COSMA's partnership with AFAP, had remained healthy despite prolonged dry conditions. While neighbouring maize fields planted earlier had largely dried up, the demonstration plot continued to thrive and was approaching harvest.
To illustrate his testimony, he displayed a maize plant uprooted from the demonstration plot that remained green despite the dry conditions and had produced two fully developed cobs. His testimony provided compelling evidence of how quality agricultural inputs, combined with sound agronomic practices, can strengthen farmers' resilience to climate change and improve harvest prospects in Ssembabule's drought-prone environment.
The event also marked an important milestone as COSMA announced plans to establish a community agro-inputs shop before the next planting season. The initiative aims to improve farmers' access to certified quality seeds, fertilizers, crop protection products, and technical advice while addressing the growing challenge of counterfeit agricultural inputs in local markets.
Hosting the Farmers Field Day reflects COSMA's continued commitment to promoting climate-smart agriculture by linking smallholder farmers with knowledge, trusted agricultural technologies, and strategic partnerships. Through such initiatives, the organization is helping farming households build resilience, improve productivity, and create more sustainable livelihoods.
