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By Trevor Lutalo
With over 18,783 species of flora and fauna, Uganda is home to more than 10% of the world’s bird species and boasts 712 protected areas covering over 39,000 km², the country is facing a silent crossroads. The variety of species and ecosystems, along with its impressive genetic diversity, offer significant economic opportunities while also providing valuable conservation benefits. The diverse ecosystems, along with the abundance of large mammals and birds, make the country a premier destination for tourism. As a result, the influx of tourists continues to grow, highlighting the potential for sustainable development and nature-based economic initiatives.
Yet, despite this wealth of natural resources, Uganda’s agricultural sector on which approximately 80% of households depend, is under threat from unsustainable farming practices and rapid biodiversity loss. In recent years, Uganda’s population has grown enormously causing the need for more farmland, overfishing, spiking disease and climate change resulting in the decline of some bio-species.
As the country works to boost its agricultural productivity and achieve food security as indicated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries(MAAIF) at the recently concluded African Union Heads of State and Government Extraordinary Summit, the need for biodiversity conservation has never been more pressing.
Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is not just an environmental issue; it is fundamentally tied to agriculture. Uganda’s diverse ecosystems provide a range of essential services that support food production. From natural pollinators like bees, which are vital for crop yields, to healthy soils that sustain plant growth and aquatic habitats that support fisheries, biodiversity is the backbone of the agri-food systems. The loss of biodiversity, however, threatens these services and, in turn, the stability and productivity of Uganda’s agriculture.
A Hidden Crisis
Despite Uganda’s natural wealth, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Between 2000 and 2015, Uganda lost nearly 1.8 million hectares of forest, representing a 4% annual loss. Agriculture, particularly the expansion of farmlands into forests and wetlands, is the leading driver of this decline. The pressures on biodiversity from overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and unsustainable intensification of farming practices continue to mount. Studies show that agriculture-related activities will account for about 70% of global terrestrial biodiversity loss by 2050, a pattern that is already being observed in Uganda.
In addition, Uganda’s pollinator populations are under threat, which poses a direct risk to the country’s agricultural productivity. As climate change adds more unpredictability to weather patterns and intensifies extreme events, the already fragile ecosystems are facing further strain.
The rapid loss of biodiversity is a global pandemic per different studies aimed at conserving biodiversity in the modern agriculture landscape.
According to Alex Lwakuba who is a crop production expert at MAAIF the productivity of natural resources is on a steady decline.
“Loss of biodiversity is why we are facing distortion in food supply globally, with many people going hungry. The prices of food have become unpredictable as they continue to soar. The productive capacity of the natural resources has been distorted by human activity,” Lwakuba argues.
Lwakuba says the crisis is evident in the erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, desertification of some regions and diminishing yields from farms.
“Times have changed, farmers need to irrigate more, and apply inorganic fertilisers to boost their produce but still are unable to produce more, we are facing nutrient imbalances across the arable land. There is a need to arrest the situation before it gets out of hand,” he states.
Sustainability
Addressing this challenge requires more than just conservation efforts in isolated protected areas. It demands a comprehensive approach that integrates biodiversity conservation directly into agricultural practices. This is where FAO’s “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors” project comes into play. Through this initiative, Uganda is aligning its national policies with international frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which underlines the importance of sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and aquaculture in achieving a world where people live in harmony with nature.
“Under FAO’s guidance, Uganda has made significant strides in mainstreaming biodiversity across its agricultural sectors. The country is working to integrate biodiversity-friendly practices into its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which serves as a roadmap for achieving the targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. This includes the promotion of agroecology, sustainable land management, and biodiversity-friendly practices in all sectors, from crop farming to livestock and fisheries.” says FAO Country Representative, Dr Antonio Querido.
The Role of Policies and Legal Frameworks
To support these efforts, Uganda has developed and implemented several policies and legal frameworks aimed at safeguarding biodiversity while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The National Environment Act (2019) addresses biodiversity conservation, while the National Agriculture Policy (2013) promotes sustainable practices like organic farming and integrated pest management. These policies are supported by the National Forestry Tree Planting Act (2003) and the Wetland Management Regulations (2000), which protect vital ecosystems like forests and wetlands.
However, challenges remain. Research has shown that Uganda’s current land tenure systems and inadequate enforcement of existing laws often undermine efforts to protect biodiversity outside designated protected areas. In addition, cross-sectoral coordination between agriculture, environment, and other key sectors is often lacking.
Why Biodiversity
The question then is not just about protecting biodiversity for the sake of the environment, but recognizing that healthy ecosystems are directly tied to food security, livelihoods, and economic stability. For Uganda’s agricultural sector, biodiversity is not just a resource; it is a lifeline.
Studies have shown that Promoting biodiversity within agrifood systems helps mitigate risks associated with monoculture farming, such as pest outbreaks and soil depletion. By diversifying agricultural systems and adopting agroecological approaches, Uganda can ensure its farmers, especially small-scale producers, have more resilient and sustainable production systems. Furthermore, biodiversity contributes to better soil health, water retention, and natural pest control, all of which lead to more sustainable food production and, ultimately, food security.
Through FAO’s biodiversity mainstreaming project, Uganda is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable agriculture. The introduction of biodiversity-friendly practices, such as sustainable agroforestry and community-managed wetlands, is already showing promise in enhancing agricultural productivity while conserving vital natural resources.
FAO’s project underscores that biodiversity is not just an environmental concern but an economic and social one. By ensuring the sustainable use of biodiversity, Uganda can enhance food security, improve the livelihoods of farmers, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and create a more resilient agricultural sector that can adapt to the challenges of climate change.
Uganda hosted the “Learning Journey on Biodiversity Mainstreaming Across Agricultural Sectors” in November last year to track the country’s progress in aligning agricultural policies with biodiversity goals which is a critical point of reflection and action. The future of Uganda’s agriculture hinges on its ability to protect its biodiversity, ensuring that both the environment and the people who depend on it can thrive together.
Experts believe Uganda’s agricultural sector can no longer afford to treat biodiversity conservation and agricultural productivity as separate issues.
“They are inextricably linked, and protecting biodiversity is key to safeguarding the future of agriculture, food security, and economic stability in the country. By promoting sustainable practices, Uganda has an opportunity to lead the way toward a more resilient, inclusive, and biodiverse future for its people,” says Dr Querido.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights that habitat loss and degradation pose significant challenges to biodiversity, impacting around 85 per cent of species featured on the IUCN Red List.