“What will you take back to Uganda?”
It was a question I was asked several times during my ten weeks at Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom. At first, my answer was simple; new knowledge, practical skills, and a Certificate in Sustainable Farming. But as the weeks passed, I realized I would be returning home with something far more valuable. A fresh perspective on how agriculture can inspire young people, strengthen communities, and create lasting change.
As the past Program Associate, now Pillar Head with the Youth Agricultural Education Program at Field of Hope, I work closely with teachers and students across Uganda. Even before travelling to the UK, I believed in the power of experiential learning helping students learn agriculture by doing rather than simply reading about it. My experience at Harper Adams strengthened that belief in ways I had never imagined.
From the very first week, learning extended far beyond the lecture room. Every topic was connected to real-life farming through practical sessions, demonstrations, and visits to working farms. Whether we were exploring soil health, livestock production, crop establishment, or farm business management, one question guided every lesson: How does this work in practice, and how could it work back home?
One of the most memorable parts of the course was visiting farms across England. Standing in fields that stretched far beyond the horizon, watching modern machinery at work, and listening to farmers explain the decisions behind every crop and livestock enterprise reminded me that successful farming is about much more than growing food. It is about careful planning, adapting to change, taking risks, and making informed decisions every day.
Although farming in the UK differs greatly from farming in Uganda, many of the challenges are surprisingly similar. Farmers everywhere are responding to unpredictable weather, protecting soil health, managing pests and diseases, and finding ways to remain productive while caring for the environment. The solutions may vary, but the commitment to building resilient farming systems is universal.
The scholarship also gave me the opportunity to learn from participants from different African and Asian countries. Through our conversations, I gained a deeper appreciation of how agriculture shapes lives and livelihoods around the world. Despite our different backgrounds, we shared a common goal: building stronger, more sustainable food systems for our communities.
Throughout the course, I often found myself thinking about the teachers and students I work with back home. I imagined agriculture clubs establishing climate-smart school gardens, students confidently keeping production and financial records, and teachers creating more opportunities for practical learning. The experience strengthened my conviction that meaningful agricultural education begins when learners are given the opportunity to experiment, make mistakes, reflect, and try again.
Whether in Uganda or the United Kingdom, agriculture continues to thrive because of people who have faith, are curious, adaptable, andcommitted to continuous improvement.
As I return to Field of Hope, I do so with renewed enthusiasm and a deeper appreciation of the work we do. The knowledge and experiences gained during the scholarship will help strengthen our teacher professional development programs, enrich agriculture clubs, and create even more meaningful learning opportunities for young people. My hope is that every lesson learned abroad will multiply through the teachers we train and the students they inspire.
I am sincerely grateful to the Marshal Papworth Scholarship Fund and Hands Around the World, East of England Agricultural Society for investing in my professional growth, and to Harper Adams University for providing an exceptional learning experience. Heartfelt gratitude to Field of Hope for all the support and believing in the value of continuous learning and for creating opportunities to apply new knowledge where it matters most.
Travel often changes the way we see the world. This journey changed the way I see my work. It reminded me that while farming methods may differ across countries, the greatest investment we can make is in people, especially young people who will shape the future of agriculture. As we equip them with knowledge, skills, and opportunities, we also continue to trust God for His guidance and provision as they grow into the leaders and innovators our communities need.
Anne Oshaba- Marshal Papworth Fund Scholar- 2026
