Mayiga advises gov't on agricultural markets

By Jeff Andrew Lule                               

KAMPALA - Government should put more emphasis on improving agricultural markets besides infrastructural development, Buganda’s prime minister Charles Peter Mayiga has advised.

He said now that the country has a good road network, government should focus on how these roads can be fully utilized to improve people's livelihoods.

"The biggest problem failing agriculture is lack of market.  I expected this to be emphasized in the budget as part of the strategy to fight poverty countrywide but heard nothing," he added.

The Katikkiro made the remarks at the opening of the POWESA exhibition at Wankulukuku Stadium in Rubaga division.

People, he said, need to embrace President Yoweri Museveni and Kabaka Ronald Mutebi's call to work together to easily fight poverty.

His argument was that many rural farmers yield very little from their labour because they have no available markets for their harvests.

"Government needs to emphasize network marketing to create marketplaces for different produces locally. I am sure this can address this problem and will also encourage more to join the sector.”

‘End the shame’

In the 2015/16 national budget, sh479.96 billion was allocated to the agriculture sector.

Mayiga noted that the strategy is also important in promoting unity among people.

He called on all Ugandans to join cooperative groups to easily improve their livelihoods, saying that it is very hard to start a serious project as an individual and succeed.

"A group creates many opportunities for people to prosper easily. But individuals find many challenges thus failing.”

With the high level of unemployment in the country, people need to work together to easily create network marketing, said the Katikkiro, adding that poverty has erased the pride of Buganda Kingdom.

"Can you imagine some people cannot afford to feed their own families? You even see find big men fighting for meat at functions with their children, while others cannot pay school fees for their children. We must end this shame," he said.

Kampala Capital City Authority's (KCCA) executive director, Jennifer Musisi said they have put in place several programs to train youths in different ventures to improve their lives.

"We have established an agriculture resource centre where we train people in modern agricultural methods. We also have a concrete yard where we train youth to make interlocking blocks and pavers among others," she said.

The city leader pointed out that they have also initiated Sunday markets to create markets for people's products.

"We are also going to gazette other areas where people can exhibit their items.”

KCCA also plans to institute a tourist centre at Sheraton  Gardens and the subway to allow more people exhibit their items.



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