Govt advised on import substitution

TRADE

The Government has been advised to aim at import substitution especially in agricultural products.

Import substitution is a trade and economic policy which advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production.

According to the managing director of Promote Uganda, David Nsubuga, this can be done by encouraging farmers to embrace new technology to enhance productivity.

"Most cereals like soybeans and others are imported from other countries yet we could take advantage of import substitution if the farmers embraced modern agriculture technology," Nsubuga said.

Nsubuga made the remarks during the press conference at Platinum Credit headquarters in Kampala where he announced the first annual agriculture equipment/machine exhibition to take place next month on November 12-16.

He said the exhibition will take place at Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) grounds in Lugogo, Kampala.

Nsubuga revealed that 17 factories from China and others will participate in the exhibition where they will showcase the most advanced agriculture equipment to Ugandan farmers.

He pointed out that the machine exhibition will offer the chance to Ugandan farmers to choose machines suitable for farming to increase production and exports.

The new appropriate technology will include sugarcane juicers, multi grass cutters, walking tractors, multi Sheller, solar-powered water pumps, potato peelers, food dehydrators, cup sealers, bottle labelling machines, food preserving machines.

He said the above is intended to address technological gaps after Promote Uganda did research and found that there were technological gaps in terms of the tools farmers are using which should be bridged to enhance productivity and exports.

Nsubuga pointed out that the focus is to help farmers acquire equipment/tools for land preparation, planting, harvesting, post-harvest handling, processing, and packaging

He blamed the youth who have migrated to urban areas to become boda-boda riders instead of engaging in agriculture.

 The managing director said the objective of the machine exhibition is to promote the production of finished products to supply export markets and local supermarkets which will boost the income of the enterprises.

The managing director of Platinum Credit Limited, Albert Abaasa said the machine exhibition will go a long way in helping farmers boost productivity and exports.

He said the agriculture sector is not well developed because farmers can't afford equipment but the new innovation will persuade them to acquire some and Platinum is ready to support farmers as it is operating in 44 districts in the country.