The Republic of Uganda

UGANDA AGRICULTURE SECTORDEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND INVESTMENT PLAN

A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE EMRC AGRIBUSINESS FORUM 2010 AT SPEKE RESORT MUNYONYO

3RD – 6TH OCTOBER 2010

By

SAM SEMANDA

Commissioner, Agricultural Planning and Development

Introduction

• Agriculture plays a central role in development, economic growth and poverty reduction

• The National Development Plan recognises agriculture as one of the key productive sectors driving the economy.

Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)

• Africa agric. program agreed to by Heads of State;

• Uganda signed the CAADP Compact on 31st

March 2010

Pursues;

• Agriculture-led growth as a main strategy;

• 6 percent average annual growth rate for the agricultural sector

• 10% share of national budget allocated to agricultural sector.

CHALLENGES FACING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA

• Low Productivity.

• Climate Change.

• Inadequate storage and High post harvest losses

• Inadequate marketing and agro processing facilities

• Among others…

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Vision and Mission

.

The vision: “A Competitive, Profitable and Sustainable Agricultural Sector”.

The mission: “Transform subsistence farming to commercial agriculture”.

Sector Objectives

• Increase household incomes by raising agricultural production and productivity.

• Ensure national and household food and nutritional security.

• Create employment opportunities both on farm and off farm.

• Promote value addition to agricultural products

• Promote domestic and external trade in agricultural product.

ENHANCING PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY

• Agricultural Research and Technology Development.

• Advisory Services and Technology Delivery.

• Pest and Disease Control.

• Sustainable Land Management.

• Water for Agricultural Production.

• Labour Saving Technologies and Mechanisation

• Agricultural Livelihoods in Northern Uganda.

• Promoting Strategic Enterprises

MARKET ACCESS AND VALUE ADDITION

• Improving Regulatory Services to facilitate Niche Market Development.

• Promoting the Use of High Quality Inputs, Planting and Stocking materials.

• Promoting Value Addition Activities.

• Improving the Rural Market Infrastructure

• Promoting Collective Marketing.

IMPROVING THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

• Formulation of the National Policy Framework.

• Streamline Planning and Policy Development at the ministry.

• Supporting Public Education Programmes for Agriculture.

• Establishing Mechanisms for Capturing accurate

agricultural statistics.

• Develop Capacity for Climate Change Planning.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING IN THE SECTOR

• The focus; ensuring sector institutional structures and systems are optimally configured to achieve impact.

• Public spending directed on increased agricultural productivity, improved market access and a functioning enabling environment

Conclusion

• Government has put in place excellent incentives and policy framework conducive for investment in the sector.

• The sector has potential for mass production and export of high value agricultural products.

• It is our expectation that this forum brings together concerted efforts towards investing in agriculture in order to realize this potential.

Thank you