During the session, farmers shared success stories following NOTU training conducted three years ago, as well as ongoing challenges affecting their farming activities.
Soybean farmers in Isingiro District have appealed to the government to provide water pumps to help them irrigate their gardens and cope with prolonged dry spells that are affecting their yields.
The farmers, who cultivate soybeans both individually and in groups, say recurring drought is one of the major challenges limiting production and reducing their income.
Their appeal was made during a follow-up and refresher training session on occupational safety and health for previously trained farmer groups in the soybean value chain. The session was held in Nakivale Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities, and was organized by the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Ripple Effect under the PROSPECTS programme.
Oliver Nalukabwe, a soybean farmer from Isingiro District, cited several obstacles, including limited access to farm inputs, pests and diseases, and prolonged drought.
“After the NOTU training on soybean farming and its value chain, we organized ourselves into groups and managed to buy protective gear such as overalls, gumboots, gloves, masks, wheelbarrows, and pesticides. However, we have not been able to afford water pumps, which are expensive, yet most of our crops dry up during the long dry spells that occur twice a year in Isingiro,” Nalukabwe said.
Nicholas Businge, a Programmes Officer at NOTU, said the organization aims to increase awareness about integrating occupational safety and health into farming practices.
He emphasized that NOTU is committed to the well-being of all workers, which is why they trained farmers in Nakivale Refugee Settlement and host communities on soybean production while addressing potential occupational hazards.
Meanwhile, Vincent Matsiko, the Senior Commercial Officer for Isingiro District, advised farmers to take advantage of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), which can provide financial support to purchase essential equipment like water pumps.
Matsiko also highlighted the role of stakeholders and local government in promoting occupational safety and health among both refugees and host communities. He urged employers to provide protective gear to workers, especially those in farming, to reduce work-related hazards.
