The CEO of NOGAMU Mr. Chariton Namuwoza was elected to the position of President of AfoNet- The African Organic Network in Kigali during the African Organic Conference held in December 2023. The new AFrONet Leadership reveals an expansion strategy to promote intra-regional trade of Organic products.
Mr. Chariton Namuwoza, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) in his tenure has revealed that as President of the continental body that unites actors in the organic industry in Africa, he will prioritize key areas fundamental to the growth of organic farming in Africa including expanding The organic movement to more African countries members, promote intra-regional trade, enhance participatory certification, strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks on organic production, research among other strategic plans.
The new President who was elected during the 5th African Organic Conference and General Assembly, held in Kigali Rwanda, from 12th – 15th December 2023, said that there is a need to develop organic food systems that will benefit African farmers and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises involved in organic product trading. He said this can be achieved by linking research to production, reducing the cost of certification, and harnessing the existing and emerging markets of organic products.
“The time to push for participatory certification that uses simple systems that conform to organic standards and reduce the high cost through participatory guarantees including farmers, traders, leaders, and others. There is a huge potential to grow organic production through merging traders, markets in Uganda and the region” he said The President added that to support the organic industry to take off stage in Uganda, the organic agricultural bill needs to be fully enacted and implemented to enhance the organic food secure system that will promote home-based organic farm inputs for crops, livestock, and fish among others.
“Uganda with the highest certified organic farmers is home to organic inputs for fish, crops, and livestock on small- and large-scale production. We are working on an organic agricultural bill to support the industry. Farmers need intensive farming methods with local and affordable inputs to increase their yield” he said
The new AFrONet leadership comprises of:
1. Mr. Chariton Namuwoza – President (Uganda)
2. Mr. Chitalu Munshibwe – Vice President (Zambia)
3. Mr. Jude Obi – General Secretary (Nigeria)
4. Ms. Josephine Atangana – Treasurer (Cameroon)
5. Ms. Esther Betts – Member (Kenya)
6. Dr. Juma Mwatima – Member (Tanzania)
7. Dr. Simplice Davo Vodouhe – Member (Benin)
8. Mr. Idhmida Mohammed – Member (Morocco)
9. Dr. Khaoula Mokrani – Member (Tunisia)
10. Mr. Jean Marie Irakabaho – Member (Rwanda)