Uganda bids farewell to FAO Country representative

Uganda through its Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), bid farewell to the country representative for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) after six years of service in the pearl of Africa.

Alhaji Momodou Jallow who came to Uganda six years ago, has been leading a team of people who have offered technical guidance to realize high production and productivity in Agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

While talking about Jallow during a farewell dinner organized on Tuesday at Speke hotel-Munyonyo, the permanent secretary MAAIF Pius Wakabi said, Uganda faced a lot of challenges in the agriculture sector but with involvement of FAO under the leadership of Jallow, most of these are history.

"My tenure as PS has been characterized with drought, army worm plus so many other pests and diseases affecting crops but even without our invitation, FAO came in and indeed we got relief," said Wakabi. "You've held the flag very high and I pray for only God's blessings to follow you," further commended the permanent secretary.

On behalf of the Ugandan government, the state minister for Agriculture Christopher Kibazanga applauded the good work rendered to Uganda by FAO under the leadership of Alhaji M Jallow, describing him as a very humble man. "Even though you're retiring in that capacity, we believe you still have connections and may you keep lobbying for Ugandans who are sleeping hungry," said Kibazanga.

 
In his farewell message, Jallow expressed joy for having got a chance to serve in Uganda and all the achievements he managed to score during his six-year tenure. He also expressed sorrow for leaving Uganda, a country with a lot experience and impact to his life.

Jallow advised authorities in government to fast track on the preservation of Lake Victoria, as one way of dealing with the unstable and unreliable climate change. "I had a team behind me and even though mobilisation of resources has been hard, we have managed to attract a lot of confidence and therefore, with such a record set, we hope for more resources," said Jallow.

About Alhaji Momodou Jallow:
Jallow, a national of Gambia, holds a first class certificate in Fisheries studies from the Nyegezi Fisheries Institute, Mwanza, Tanzania, a diploma in Aquaculture from the African Regional Aquaculture Centre, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, a B.Sc. in Fisheries Studies with Honours from the University of Humberside, Hull, U.K., a Certificate on Project Implementation and Supervision, from the Management Development Institute, Kanifing, Gambia, and an M. Sc. in Fisheries Economics from the University of Portsmouth, U.K.

He started his career in 1974 as Fisheries Assistant, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Natural Resources, Gambia, where he worked until 1995 covering several positions such as Fisheries Officer and Senior Fisheries Officer. In 1995, he joined FAO as Socio-economist for the Programme for Integrated Development of Artisanal Fisheries in West Africa (IDAF), Cotonou, Benin.

In 1999, he was appointed Fisheries Planning Officer, Regional Office for Africa, Accra, Ghana.

Officials from FAO and ministry of Agriculture posing for a group

In 2002, he became Senior Fisheries Officer, and in July 2008, he was appointed, in addition to his duties as Senior Fisheries Officer, Technical Team Coordinator, Natural Resources, Fisheries and Forestry in the Regional Office for Africa, Accra, Ghana.

Jallow succeeded Percy Misika as FAO Representative in Uganda on October 6, 2011.

About FAO:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

It has a goal to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

Uganda joined the agency in 1963.