Uganda enjoys good climate, abundant arable land and an abundance of water bodies, this means Uganda has the potential to become the food basket of East and Central Africa but this may not happen if strategies to control climate change are not implemented like promoting low carbon emission, planting more trees etc. So today we look at a career field that contributes greatly to the economy of our country, AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Agriculture is the core sector of Uganda’s economy contributing approximately 27% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the biggest employer of the country’s population. Agriculture plays an important role in eradication of poverty and sustainable development.

Careers in agriculture, food and natural resources involve the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing and development of agricultural commodities and resources. These include food, fuel, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture and other plant and animal products/resources.

According to the survey conducted by the New Vision newspaper to analyze job opportunities, this career field advertised 885 jobs (11%) of the total jobs advertised, which appeared unrealistic for a sector that forms 80% of Uganda’s economy. The explanation could be that some employers send out internal adverts.

FUTURE JOBS

The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports, Career Guidance Handbook shows the following jobs are in this sector;

  • Extension Workers
  • Soil Scientists
  • Veterinary Doctors/Officers
  • Gardeners
  • Florists
  • Farm Supervisors
  • Dairy Technologist
  • Wildlife Managers
  • Botanist
  • Zoologist
  • Agriculture Engineers.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Most employers in this sector required an undergraduate degree 63%, work or job-oriented skills 33% and about 29% required a masters or postgraduate qualification. Here is a summary of the job qualifications.

COURSES

The academic programmes that will lead you here include

COURSE ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

  • Direct Entry; the candidates should have a minimum of two (2) principle passes in all A ‘level subjects obtained at the same sitting or its equivalent in relevant subjects.
  • Diploma entry scheme; the candidate should hold a relevant diploma
  • Mature age entry scheme; the candidate should have a pass in the mature age entry examinations with at least 50% and must be 25 years and above.

NOTE: Candidates who have obtained one (1) principle pass or its equivalent in relevant subjects can apply for diploma programmes. For certificate courses, candidates must have attained a minimum of 5 credits at O ‘level.

(SOURCES: The New Vision newspaper university guide, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports, Career Guidance Handbook, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Uganda Bureau of Statistics)