8th Annual Indigenous and Traditional Food Fair

19 October 2018.  Kampala. 8th Annual Indigenous and Traditional Food Fair organized by Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM).

See full report (24 pages)

Hundreds of farmers from across the country gathered in Kampala to present the case for conserving indigenous food-crops, and their products.

Over 42 organisations (22 of which were PELUM Uganda member organisations) showcased their indigenous and traditional foods and drinks. Parallel to the exhibitions were presentations made by representatives from; Youth Association for Rural Development (YARD), Bioversity International and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD).

A total of 317 people (113 women and 214 men) participated in the event.

Since 2008, PELUM Uganda embarked on a campaign to restore the utilization and conservation of Indigenous and traditional foods among communities in Uganda.

Several activities have been undertaken to this effect including national and regional food fairs, documentation of indigenous and traditional foods in Uganda and implementing projects to revamp indigenous food and seeds.

I appreciate PELUM Uganda for organizing an event that celebrates indigenous and traditional foods and bringing together people from all walks of life to showcase their indigenous and traditional knowledge. Although Uganda had over 120 species of indigenous foods and seeds, 2011 and 2016 statistics indicate that 29% children were still stunted. This calls for more efforts in promoted the nutritional and medicinal value of these foods. Dr. Elizabeth Balyejusa Kizito, the Head of Department, Agricultural and Biological Sciences at Uganda Christian University. 

Particularly, Indigenous food fairs have consistently been held at the national level on an annual basis since 2012. Through such food fairs, communities have become aware of the importance of reviving their traditional food practices and production, leading to increased local resilience and food security. Exhibitors beautify their food through presenting traditional dishes and explaining and documenting the cultural and ecological links.

"Indigenous and traditional seed systems contribute to the conservation of agriculture biodiversity and are critical in diversity of foods to ensure dietary mixture in small holder communities. Expanding Industrial agriculture has a big impact on the country’s environment due to the chemicals released from inorganic fertilizers which are highly used in the growing of hybrid crops. Such chemical contribute to the release of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Relying on planting genetic, improved and high yielding varieties undermines food security and conservation of agro-biodiversity in the country” Stella Lutalo, the country Director PELUM Uganda