Prioritise agricultural commodities for easy marketing, FAO chief tells ministry

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The agriculture ministry has been advised to identify one priority commodity that can be promoted and positioned in international markets.

The move will ensure proper attention to a particular commodity with a view to earning from it. Once embraced, Uganda will have embraced FAOs’ One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) programme.

The five-year programme launched by FAO in 2021 and ends in 2025, was aimed at promoting global, regional and local levels of special agricultural products with unique qualities and special characteristics that can contribute to the transformation of the country.

Dr Paul Ssajakambwe, Principal Investigator, Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine takes the guests through what happens in the laboratories.

Dr Susan Kerfua (right) explaining to FAO director general Dr Qu Dongyu (left)as the team toured the laboratories at the facility.

Although Uganda wasn’t part of the initial project, FAO director general Qu Dongyu said Uganda could be considered upon the success of the Parish Development Model programme.

Countries where the initiative is working include Bangladesh, which has prioritised jackfruit, Egypt date palm, Malawi banana, Trinidad and Tobago cocoa and Uzbekistan sweet cherry. These countries were among the first five demonstration countries selected for the initiative.

Dongyu’s advice was in response to requests from the animal husbandry state minister Bright Rwamirama, who called for support from FAO to help Uganda access markets for her agricultural products.

FAO director general Dr Qu Dongyu (right) and Minister Fred Bwino Kyakulaga (left) as the team toured the laboratories at the facility.

The other requests fronted to the visiting FAO DG from the agriculture ministry include the linkage to potential investors in value addition of all agriculture products for incomes, but also to meet the country’s agro-industrialisation agenda.

Rwamirama explained to the director general that although there are government efforts in place to transform the sector, by targeting smallholder farmers, through the Parish Development Model programme, there is a need for more support.

Rwamirama’s comments were backed by local government minister Raphale Magyezi, who added that through PDM, the Government is offering financial assistance to smallholder farmers in villages to help them move from subsistence to commercial farming.

Dr Qu Dongyu, director general FAO plants a tree.

Group photo.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General is on a three-day visit to Uganda, aimed at strengthening collaboration with the government of Uganda, development partners and highlighting FAO’s ongoing support to National priorities in agriculture, forestry, and food systems.