Trade show organising committee

By : Brenda Achen

Zombo District has called on farmers, business operators, development partners and other stakeholders to participate in a three-day trade show aimed at showcasing the district’s agricultural potential, tourism attractions and rich cultural heritage.

The trade show, scheduled for November 11–13, 2026, at Kyambogo grounds , Paidha branch is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge and experiences on modern farming practices, promote agricultural value chains and explore market opportunities.

The event will run under the theme, “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Agro-industrialisation and Market Linkages for Wealth Creation.”

Zombo District Agricultural Officer Patrick Aneniwu said the exhibition would highlight the district’s untapped potential across agricultural value chains, tourism and cultural heritage.

The District Production Officer, Dr Walter Kumakech, described the trade show as a learning platform that will promote practical solutions to climate change, environmental conservation and integrated farming practices.

Kumakech also highlighted coffee as one of the district’s key cash crops, citing plans to expand coffee production across an estimated 9,000 hectares over the next five years.

Charles Etoma, the Regional Agricultural Officer for Arua at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), said the coffee conference would address challenges facing the local coffee industry and equip stakeholders with knowledge on improving production across the coffee value chain.

Etoma added that a coffee shop would be established at the event to give visitors an opportunity to taste locally produced coffee and appreciate its quality.

“Coffee is a strategic cash crop that can generate significant income and transform communities, while creating opportunities to promote and brand our own coffee,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zombo District Tourism Officer Jovian Kayenyparwoth said the district has considerable tourism potential, citing its cultural diversity, including the Alur, Kebu, Lendu and Lugbara communities, as well as waterfalls and a hydropower dam that could attract visitors and generate income for local communities and government.

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Abenaitwe said the initiative is intended to encourage farmers to increase coffee production and transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.

Zombo District LCV Chairperson James Uyullu, who also chairs the trade show organising committee, urged stakeholders, particularly coffee farmers and producers, to embrace coffee growing as a viable pathway to household income growth and economic transformation.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Isaac Orochi said measures to prevent the spread of Ebola would be observed during the event, given the expected large turnout.

The organizers hope the trade show will strengthen agricultural knowledge, promote coffee production, expand market linkages and unlock Zombo District’s wider economic potential.