The recently concluded five-day Digital Skills Training for Farmers, organized by Eight Tech in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), has left a lasting impact on farming communities across four districts—Ntungamo, Ngora, Kyenjojo, and Isingiro. This initiative is aimed to equip farmers with essential digital tools and knowledge to enhance agricultural productivity, improve market access, and use technology for business growth.
Day 1: Launching the Training in Four Districts
- Ngora District: Hosted at Kobwin Seed Secondary School, the session attracted 100 participants, including three persons with disabilities. The primary focus was on online marketing, accessing agricultural services via the internet, and utilizing technology to identify quality seeds and pesticides.
- Isingiro District: At the Town Council Hall, 88 participants engaged in discussions on online privacy, smartphone usage, and network connectivity challenges. Many attendees shared success stories of how digital tools had helped solve agricultural problems, such as pest control.
- Ntungamo District: At Future Star Nursery & Primary School, 76 farmers explored strategies to combat pests, navigate climate change, and mitigate market fluctuations.
Participants across all locations were encouraged to complete the full five-day training to maximize their learning experience and practical application.
Day 2: Expanding Digital Literacy
The second day saw a deeper dive into digital tools and applications:
- Kyenjojo District: 105 farmers were introduced to mindset change strategies and basic digital tools.
- Isingiro District: 87 farmers explored Microsoft Word and e-government services, with 18 successfully creating Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) after previous training sessions.
- Ntungamo District: 91 farmers learned Microsoft Office applications and social media platforms, recognizing their potential to improve market access and communication.
- Ngora District: 100 farmers were trained on Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Despite power outages, participants remained eager to harness digital tools for farming and communication.
Day 3: Strengthening Practical Digital Applications
The third day focused on equipping farmers with practical digital skills:
- Kyenjojo: 99 participants learned email communication and Excel budgeting, though timekeeping and National ID registration disruptions posed challenges.
- Ngora: 101 farmers explored online shopping, e-banking, and Microsoft Office applications, despite intermittent power and internet issues.
- Isingiro: 87 farmers focused on YouTube for agricultural knowledge and email creation, though some struggled with training fatigue.
- Ntungamo: 92 farmers were introduced to online safety and agricultural platforms, navigating power shortages and poor network connectivity.
Day 4: Leveraging Digital Platforms for Business Growth
The fourth day emphasized digital tools that enhance agricultural business opportunities:
- Ntungamo: 91 farmers created YouTube channels and explored e-government services.
- Ngora: 99 participants learned about Google Maps, TikTok content creation, and agricultural apps.
- Kyenjojo: 99 farmers were introduced to e-government services and agricultural technologies, with notable participation from Chief Technology Officer Dr. Drake Patrick Mirembe and CEO Prof. Jude T. Lubega, who emphasized the importance of mindset change.
- Isingiro: 90 participants explored the Play Store, online safety, and the ICT for Farmers app, despite occasional power disruptions.
Day 5: Closing with Impact and Appreciation
The final day of training marked a significant achievement, with over 390 farmers successfully trained. The closing sessions highlighted key takeaways:
- Ntungamo: The District Chairperson praised Eight Tech and UCC for their impactful efforts in empowering local farmers.
- Isingiro: Mayor Bakiga Wilberforce expressed his gratitude, particularly noting the training’s inclusivity for senior citizens.
- Ngora: Post Bank Bukedea officials introduced digital financing tools such as the Wendi application, helping farmers understand the role of digital solutions in financial management.
- Kyenjojo: Prof. Jude T. Lubega closed the training by congratulating participants and rewarding the most engaged individuals with calendars as a token of appreciation. At Butiiti Subcounty Headquarters, LC III Chairperson Mr. Bushobozi Chris urged farmers to take digital literacy seriously, emphasizing its potential to improve livelihoods.
The Digital Skills Training for Farmers has proven to be a transformative initiative, equipping participants with the knowledge to navigate digital platforms, improve their agricultural practices, and expand their market reach. Despite challenges such as power outages and network instability, farmers remained engaged and eager to apply their newfound skills.
A special thank you to UCC, local government officials, and all participants who contributed to making this initiative a success. The impact of this training will be felt for years to come as farmers integrate digital tools into their daily operations, fostering innovation and economic growth in Uganda’s agricultural sector.
