Key Stakeholders Gather for Uganda’s Agro-Industrialization Review
Representatives from the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers’ Forum (ESAFF) Uganda, alongside government ministries and development partners, convened for the 4th Joint Agro-Industrialization Programme Annual Review (JAPAR) at Speke Resort Munyonyo. This high-level meeting aimed to evaluate progress and outline future steps for Uganda’s agro-industrialization agenda.
The event was held under the theme “Enhanced Productivity, Value Addition, and Marketing of Agricultural Commodities for Socio-Economic Transformation.” It emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration to drive growth, enhance value addition, and expand market opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
Minister Highlights Importance of Collaborative Efforts
Minister of State for Agriculture Fred Bwino Kyakulaga delivered a keynote address, stressing the necessity of joint efforts to accelerate agricultural transformation. He stated:
“As we review our progress, it’s crucial that we focus on strategies that boost productivity, enhance value addition, and improve marketing of our agricultural commodities. This will not only increase our economic growth but also uplift the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans who depend on agriculture.”
Bwino highlighted that agro-industrialization is central to Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP III). He pointed out that improved value chains are essential for job creation, poverty reduction, and export diversification. He urged all stakeholders to work together—government, private sector, farmers, and development partners—to unlock the full potential of agriculture as an engine for socio-economic transformation.
ESAFF Uganda Reaffirms Commitment
ESAFF Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts by promoting sustainable, resilient, and inclusive agricultural practices. The forum emphasized the need for stronger coordination, policy alignment, and investment in value addition initiatives to build robust value chains from production to processing and marketing.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that these actions are critical to ensuring long-term success in the agricultural sector. They recognized that a coordinated approach would help create more opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses while contributing to broader economic goals.
Focus on Sustainable Growth
The discussion concluded with a renewed commitment to ensuring that sustainable agricultural growth remains central to Uganda’s ambition to achieve middle-income status. The participants acknowledged that the agricultural sector has the potential to be a major driver of economic development if properly supported and integrated into national strategies.
Key areas of focus included improving access to markets, enhancing productivity through better technology and training, and creating policies that support small-scale farmers. These measures were seen as essential to achieving the country’s long-term development objectives.
Conclusion
The JAPAR meeting underscored the importance of collaboration across all sectors to achieve meaningful progress in Uganda’s agro-industrialization agenda. With continued efforts from government, private sector actors, and civil society organizations, there is significant potential to transform agriculture into a powerful engine for socio-economic transformation.