Uganda's agriculture is not attractive to direct foreign investments -experts

Uganda like other African countries need to examine their policies on agriculture in order to attract private investment for revenue to bring development, Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, the Director Rural Economy and Agriculture African Union Commission has said.

He said policies on agriculture sector must be based on empirical evidence to understand what it is the private investment needs to join the sector.

"No policies to promote agriculture. It's very important agriculture is based on innovations if the sector is to attract private investments," Bahiigwa said.

"There is a whole paradox on investment towards agriculture," he added.

The remarks were made at a press briefing on Agriculture Policy Learning forum that brings together government experts and policy makers to reflect, share and learn about the progress achieved and actions required in the development of national agricultural policy priorities organised a head of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development program (CAADP) held at Munyonyo.

The event will review successes and challenges in implementing national policy support programs designed to advance the goals and targets of CAADP outlined in the 2014 Malabo declaration.

Bahiigwa said that Uganda's stakeholders should discuss the country's agriculture investment plan to move it forward by answering questions like what are the top 5 priorities that hinder agricultural inputs, is it fertilizers or agriculture finance?.

Boaz Blackie Keizire, Head of Policy Alliance for A green Revolution in Africa added that the research organisation is too weak to support the private sector with access to foundation seeds for multiplication to enable the farmers access improved quality seeds.