Kampala: The first UK-Uganda Agro-Industrialisation Forum was held yesterday, with representatives of the UK and Ugandan governments, farmers, businesses and development partners discussing collaborations to boost farm productivity, exports to the UK, regional food trade, and climate resilience.
Agro-Industrialisation is a pillar of Uganda’s National Development Plan, through which the government seeks to boost agricultural financing, expand agro-industrial infrastructure, enhance access to technology, and strengthen value chains to increase the country’s agro-exports.
The UK has a long history of collaborating with Uganda’s agricultural sector, for example UK business Nexus Green has worked with the Ministry of Water & Environment to roll out irrigation schemes with farmers across the country. And the UK’s 39-million-pound Climate Smart Jobs programme is working with businesses, researchers and financial institutions to boost productivity and the climate resilience of farmers across Northern Uganda. And through its Developing Countries Trading Scheme, the UK has made it easier for Ugandan exporters to get their produce on the shelves of UK shops.
H.E. Lisa Chesney, British High Commissioner to Uganda said: “The UK is committed to our partnership with Uganda and working together to accelerate sustainable development and mutually beneficial economic growth. And we know this goal cannot be realised without transforming agriculture as Uganda’s biggest employer. I’m therefore excited to bring together public and private sector leaders to discuss how the UK and Uganda can build on our deep existing links in the agricultural sector, to increase farm productivity, exports, climate resilience, and support Uganda’s ten-fold-growth ambitions”
The forum is expected to:
Raise awareness of UK agricultural technologies which can boost productivity and support agro industrialisation.
Link UK and Ugandan agribusinesses to work together
Boost Ugandan exports to the UK, using the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme and Uganda Airlines’ direct flight
Identify trade barriers and solutions for policymakers
Engage media houses to focus on climate change challenges and solutions for the agricultural sector.
