The 20th National Agricultural Show

Jul 24, 2012

President Museveni to launch ATAAS at Jinja agricultural show

New project to promote food security

President Museveni to launch ATAAS at Jinja agricultural show

By Ronald Kalyango

FARMERS in the countryside are set to benefit from a new agricultural project to be implemented by the country’s top agricultural bodies. The five-year project titled, ‘Agricultural Technology and Agribusiness Advisory Services (ATAAS) will cost about $665m.

“Government will contribute the biggest chunk of resources amounting to $544m while the development partners are expected to contribute $120m,” says agriculture minister, Tress Bucyanayandi.

He says the project’s activities are to be implemented by the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to launch the project’s activities today, while officiating at this year’s agricultural show in Jinja. The show started yesterday and will end on Sunday. Click here to read more...

trueBACKGROUND

The Government of Uganda together with Development Partners throught the Ministry of Agricultural Animal Industry and Fisheries is implementing a five-year project- the Agricultural Technology and Agribusiness Advisory Services (ATAAS).

ATAAS is designed to support the implementation of the full national programs of NARO and NAADS. Click here to read more...

trueAgricultural Technology and Business Advisory Services Project (ATAAS)

Contribution of ATAAS to the development strategy and investment plan (DSIP) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Anmal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

Its strategic focus is consistent with the National Development Plan (NDP) and DSIP objectives of agricultural growth, commercialisation and poverty reduction.Click here to read more...

The Commercialization Fund (CCF) continued

Annually, NAADS will support on average 110 partnerships (100 district level nucleus farmers and 10 national level partners) under Window I of the CCF for a period of three (3) years. A total of 300 District level nucleus farmers and 30 National level partners will therefore be supported and this fund in a three-year cycle.
The NAADS Secretariat (through established CCF governace structures, in particular the CC Investment Committee) has the responsibility of identifying investment areas in value chains in line with the objectives of MAAIF Development Strategy Investment Plan (DSIP).
Click here to read more...

Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries

true

Theme“ Promoting Smart Farming for Sustainable National Food Security, Farm Incomes and Regional Market Opportunities”

“The Government of Uganda has introduced an Agricultural Credit Scheme. Money has been put in commercial banks by Ministry of Finance for lending to buy tractor, animal traction, farm power and energy, agro-processing and post-harvest technologies,” added Tress Bucyanayandi.

COOPERATIVES and individuals can now acquire agricultural mechanization tools through various commercial banks in Uganda, the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has said.

“The government scheme of tractor hire services was abused. It will now be cooperatives and individuals to hire out tractors to their members or farmers,” he noted.

Speaking to the New Vision reporter in preparation for Source of the Nile Agricultural and Trade Show in Jinja, Bucyanayandi said that sub-county agricultural extension workers are going to be facilitated with soil testing kits to analyze soil fertility.

“This will help farmers to plan ahead before planting of any crops, how much, what type of fertilizers are needed to improve on production,” he explained.

“In addition, the government has an immediate strategy to import and publicizes the use of fertilizers. The second strategy is to start manufacturing our own fertilizers. We have the materials like phosphates and vermiculite to make fertilizers. We are trying to attract investors to manufacture fertilizer,” said Bucyanayandi.

Other strategies in line with this year’s theme “Promoting Smart Farming for Sustainable National Food Security, Farm Incomes and Regional Market Opportunities,” the government is aiming at restoring the irrigation potential of the original irrigation schemes; Mubuku in Kasese, Doho in Butaleja and Agoro in Lamwo districts. Click here to read more...

trueIrrigation schemes for rehabilitation

By John Kasozi
Government is to restore the original irrigation schemes to improve national food security.

“Irrigation schemes to be rehabilitated are Mubuku in Kasese, Doho in Butaleja, Agoro in Lamwo and Olweny in Lira districts according to Tress Bucyanayandi, minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Irrigation in Uganda is, however, still using rudimentary methods “Plans are under way too, to improve water-harvesting techniques and the use of greenhouses is in the pipeline countrywide,” explains Bucyanayandi.

The minister was speaking about this year’s Jinja Agricultural Trade Show which opened yesterday. The theme of the show is; Promoting smart farming for sustainable national food security, farm incomes and regional market opportunities.

Speaking to the New Vision, Bucyanayandi said rehabilitation is aimed at reinstating the irrigation potential of the existing schemes to improve farm incomes, food security and rural livelihoods. Click here to read more...

ADVERTISERS

SSEMBEGUYA ESTATES LTD