NAADS Phase II under ATAAS

Aug 29, 2011

<b>Role of stakeholders</b><br>For proper and sustainable agricultural development, there are several stakeholders each with a vital role to play. These are organisations that work hand in hand in order to increase agricultural productivity and household incomes.

Role of stakeholders
For proper and sustainable agricultural development, there are several stakeholders each with a vital role to play. These are organisations that work hand in hand in order to increase agricultural productivity and household incomes.

The Agricultural Technology and Agribusiness Advisory Services (ATAAS) will play a supervisory role and this is expected to take effect before end of September. To achieve that, ATAAS will strengthen the available research institutions and also carry out technological research.

Since ATAAS is the sector’s supervisor, it will also play an advisory role and enhance cooperation between the other stakeholders.

The other stakeholders also have important duties to carry out. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is responsible for the national agricultural sector. Its key responsibilities include promotion, advocacy, strategic guidance and support of the NAADS programme.

MAAIF is responsible for the formulation of agricultural sector policy and strategic objectives and appoints the NAADS board of directors.

On behalf of the Government, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Planning is the contracting party between development partners. It provides oversight to programme financing, planning and budgeting, budget monitoring and accountability; and performs financial audits through the Auditor General and supervises the flow of funds and accountability.

NAADS implements activities at sub-county and district levels. The Ministry of Local Government ensures and facilitates the full integration of NAADS into the Local Government annual work plan budgets. The ministry will coordinate, plan, manage resources, provide technical and internal audits, oversee service contracts, capacity building, data collection for research purposes, and provide monitoring and evaluation.

At the centre of all these activities is the NAADS board. The board is constituted by members elected by the National Farmers’ Forum, in addition to other members appointed by the minister from amongst other key stakeholders in agricultural and related sectors. Apart from formulating policies, it also gives advice and guidance on strategy issues. This board also appoints and disciplines members of the NAADS secretariat.

It is this secretariat that implements and manages agricultural programs. The NAADS executives plan, direct, support and manage operations in their respective areas of expertise with discretion and authority. It coordinates with the other ministries and provides a link to the farmers’ for a. It also reviews district and sub-county performance reports and financial accountability.

Partnerships between agricultural research, advisory services and other stakeholders will also be jointly enhanced by NARO and NAADS. Resident district commissioners, Members of Parliament, local governments at various administrative levels have the mandate to monitor the Government’s agricultural programmes.

To note; all the programmes and services of the different stakeholders are supposed to benefit the farmers. The farmers are encouraged to form fora at parish level and register with NAADS. The agricultural sector is now well streamlined and there is more accountability.

For more information, contact
National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) secretariat
P. O Box 25235, Kampala, Uganda.
Tel: +256 414 345440; 345066; 345440
Fax: +256 414 347843
www.naads.or.ug
or call toll free number: 0800-230-100

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