Gov't to woo investors to agro-processing

By Jeff Andrew Lule

IN efforts to expand market for Uganda's agricultural produce, Government has embarked on wooing more investors in agro-processing to set up investments in value addition and packaging.

The minister of trade, industry and cooperatives, Amelia Anne Kyambadde said her ministry is already in negotiations with various investors to establish industries to add value to Uganda's produce to easily compete globally.

"We want to create market for our farmers and increase exports. We want to have at least an industry in every sub region and district in future,” she noted.

She said this while addressing residents of Bujuuko, in Mpigi district at Umea Primary School yesterday.

Earlier on before the rally she visited several farmers, Bujuuko market and other group agricultural projects.

Kyambadde the Mawokota North MP (area MP), said in all her tours she has made country wide, farmers still face challenges of limited market and price volatility.

She also noted the challenge of low value addition, and low production and productivity among others.

Kyambadde said if industries are set up, it will create ready market for farmers produces and create employment.

She said Government is working to make sure that farmers benefit from the East African Community (EAC) market.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) agriculture accounts for 26 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while industry accounts for 18 per cent.

Farmers complained of dry spells and asked Government to help them establish affordable irrigation schemes to help them during dry spells.

“We only make losses during dry spells because we don’t have water. We have water sources around, but lack means to pump it to our gardens for irrigation,” Francis Kakande, the LCI chairman of Luwala village noted.

David Kazibwe, said everything is drying because of the too much sun.