Rice production low, says Prime Minister Nsibambi
Nov 21, 2004
UGANDA’S rice production is still low compared to the demand both domestically and for export.<br>It is estimated that out of the 60,000 metric tonnes consumed by Ugandans annually, 60% is imported.
By Ronald Kalyango
UGANDA’S rice production is still low compared to the demand both domestically and for export.
It is estimated that out of the 60,000 metric tonnes consumed by Ugandans annually, 60% is imported.
The Prime minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi was at the opening of the International Year of Rice workshop at Uganda Manufacturers’ Association conference hall.
He said, “Although production of rice has more than doubled from about 9,000 tonnes in 1989 to over 20,000 tonnes today, this is still low.†He warned parents against using their children to send birds away from rice gardens during school hours.
The workshop, under the theme ‘rice is life,’ was organised by the ministry of agriculture, the National Agricultural Advisory Delivery Services, Tilda Ltd. company, APEAP and FICA.
State minister for agriculture Dr. Kibirige Ssebunya called on farmers to engage in the massive production of rice, adding that it was becoming the world’s most popular food.
He said improving the productivity of rice would reduce hunger, improve nourishment and national food security.
“It is estimated that there are about 840 million undernourished people in the world out of whom 200 million are children in developing countries,†Ssebunya said.
He said rice production still faced constraints including a low rate of growth in yields and labour shortages.
Ends
UGANDA’S rice production is still low compared to the demand both domestically and for export.
It is estimated that out of the 60,000 metric tonnes consumed by Ugandans annually, 60% is imported.
The Prime minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi was at the opening of the International Year of Rice workshop at Uganda Manufacturers’ Association conference hall.
He said, “Although production of rice has more than doubled from about 9,000 tonnes in 1989 to over 20,000 tonnes today, this is still low.†He warned parents against using their children to send birds away from rice gardens during school hours.
The workshop, under the theme ‘rice is life,’ was organised by the ministry of agriculture, the National Agricultural Advisory Delivery Services, Tilda Ltd. company, APEAP and FICA.
State minister for agriculture Dr. Kibirige Ssebunya called on farmers to engage in the massive production of rice, adding that it was becoming the world’s most popular food.
He said improving the productivity of rice would reduce hunger, improve nourishment and national food security.
“It is estimated that there are about 840 million undernourished people in the world out of whom 200 million are children in developing countries,†Ssebunya said.
He said rice production still faced constraints including a low rate of growth in yields and labour shortages.
Ends