LEST YOU FORGET, WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES Edition (V) 2024
AGROREF UGANDA
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW; WEEKLY AGRICULTURE –COOPERATIVES
(AGRICO) NEWS
LEST YOU FORGET; EDITION-(V) 19th-25th Feb
2024
About AgroRef Uganda
Agriculture Reform (AgroRef) Uganda is a Non-Governmental and
Not-for -Profit Organization focusing on advancing agricultural policy reforms,
budget advocacy; and supporting building of systems, fostering values of equity,
accountability, transparency and sustainability of organisations especially
small holder farmer organizations including but not limited to agricultural
cooperatives using a Human Rights Based Approach.
AgroRef Uganda compiles news from different media houses and
outlets that have been published during the week and shares them with our key
stakeholders. The purpose is to keep farmers updated and informed of the
operating environment in the country.
Uganda now exports more than it imports from the European Union
(EU), which commands a favourable balance of trade position. The
balance, details indicate, has been due to rising coffee exports, while Uganda
has seen a significant reduction in machinery imports from EU countries. Ambassador Jan
Sadek, the EU head of delegation to Uganda, said out of the 1.5b euros worth of
export between the two markets, Uganda has accrued 800m euros (about Shs3.3
trillion) in export value compared to 700m euros (about Shs2.9 trillion) registered
by the EU.
This
means for the first time in recent history, Uganda has been able to deliver
more exports to the largest single market in the world with a population of
approximately 450 million people, and a GDP of 16 trillion euros.
“We are proud to see that there is a balance in trade,” said Amb
Sadek ahead of the third Uganda-EU Business Forum, which seeks to facilitate
structured collaboration between the EU and Uganda’s private sector and public
actors.The Forum, expected to be held between March 5 and March 7 in Kampala
will be the largest and most influential joint Uganda-EU event on doing
business and investing in Uganda. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/uganda-s-exports-to-europe-now-overtake-imports-4532594
PSFU
PROMISES NON-COLLATERALISED CREDIT FUND AS IT LAUNCHES 2024 WOMEN'S DAY KATALE
Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) has said it is working with
partners to create a fund through which youth and women-founded businesses will
be supported with non-collateralized loans and patient capital.
Speaking during the launch of the third session of the Women’s Day
Katale due at Dam Waters Rugby Ground in Jinja City next month, Ms Sarah
Kagingo, the PSFU vice chairperson, said financial institutions have to
reassess their financing models to offer small and medium enterprises patient
capital to allow growth of such businesses, noting that banks should as well
develop products that support small businesses.
“As PSFU, we are working with partners to create the Catalytic
Fund ... that will offer non-collateralized loans and patient
capital to youth, women, and high-growth SMEs,” she said, adding: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/business/markets/psfu-promises-non-collateralised-credit-fund-as-it-launches-2024-women-s-day-katale-4531564
Farmers
across Europe have been protesting for weeks over what they say are excessively
restrictive environmental rules, competition from cheap imports from outside
the European Union and low incomes.
On Sunday, farmers from Poland blocked the A2 motorway near Slubice, in the
east on the border with Germany.
Initially the farmers had been planning a 25-day blockade but reduced it
following talks with local representatives, businesses and transporters.
On Monday, EU agriculture ministers are due to meet in Brussels. They are to
discuss new European Commission proposals aiming to change regulations at the
heart of the discontent, for example reducing the number of checks on produce.
Polish farmers say they are targeting the European Union's so-called Green Deal
on energy, transportation and taxation, which is an element of the 27-nation's
bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
They say they have been especially hit by increased taxes and other rules. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/polish-farmers-block-key-road-into-germany-NV_182049#google_vignette
WELCOME COFFEE ‘SPIES’ – FARMERS TOLD
Edward
Ssentamu Lutakome, an agronomist from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority
(UCDA) who facilitated a coffee training session at the Harvest Money 2024 Expo
in Kololo, told farmers to be professional at every level of production because
of the existing inspectors and follow-up spot checks done on their produce to
ensure standard output.
According to Lutakome, there is a hotline, as well as Police, whose job is to
arrest coffee farmers who carry out bad harvesting methods. He added that
inspectors also have the privilege to scrutinise farmers' gardens at night to
check standard levels. “My appeal is for us to welcome the EU and their
standards because they are helping us. When we follow these regulations, we
shall have access to external markets,” Lutakome explained.https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/welcome-coffee-spies-farmers-told-NV_182047
WE ARE HERE TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO GET INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE - KOICA
The Korean Agri-Business Innovation Centre (K-ABIC) has introduced
a new project known as Strengthening Capacity for Youth Agribusiness
Development in Uganda (SCADU), aimed at skilling youth in agriculture.
K-ABIC, which is under the Korea Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is promoting SKADU
to develop youth entrepreneurship in Uganda as a means to raise farmer incomes
and help young people start their own businesses in agriculture.
One of the sponsors of the Harvest Money Expo 2024, KOICA announced, on August
21, 2023, the opening of the K-ABIC in Kampala as part of its project to raise
youth entrepreneurial capacity to develop Ugandan agriculture.
Speaking at the event, Tonny Musisi, the communication associate of K-ABIC,
said the project is focusing on youth in agribusiness and those who are looking
to join the agribusiness production chain.According to Musisi, K-ABIC is
focusing on the youth because most young people ignore agriculture because they
view it as a traditional activity. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/we-are-here-to-empower-youth-to-get-involved-NV_182022
MIND THE HEALTH OF SOIL FOR BETTER YIELDS – FARMERS TOLD
The
experts say soil reaches a certain point and gets depleted or loses nutrients.
Therefore, to keep it on the right track, the addition of fertilisers is
inevitable.
According to Julius Twinamwijuka, from the Dutch village exhibition tent at the
Harvest Money Expo 2024, farmers can reboot soils by adding calcium and organic
fertilisers to them.
He
explained that inadequate calcium in the soil can be identified when plants or
flowers start withering. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/mind-the-health-of-soil-for-better-yields-far-NV_181979
Smallholder farmers who make up the majority of Ugandan agriculture farmers who
practice subsistence farming could find a solution to affordable irrigation.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 81% of the population
is engaged in rain-fed subsistence farming for food and cash income.
“This irrigation can pump 60 litres per minute or about three jerrycans per
minute,” Edward Boomeera, a senior partnership officer with Kick Start, said.
The development of the simple, but innovative irrigation technique that can be
used by simply peddling was presented at the Harvest Money Expo at Kololo
Airstrip Grounds during the three-day event, which is running under the theme,
of farming as a business. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/harvest-money-you-dont-need-power-fuel-for-ir-NV_181976
NEMA ASSURES BUSOGA ON SPECIAL PROGRAM
BEFORE EVICTION FROM WETLANDS
The
Executive Director of National Environmental Management Authority-NEMA,
Akankwasa Barirega has said that the eviction of wetland encroachers in the
Busoga sub-region will not commence until alternative income generation
activities have been put in place.
Akankwasa who was addressing Busoga leaders in Jinja City said
that wetland encroachment is on the rise in the region.
Akankwasa further said that they have embarked on grassroots
consultation drives where subsistence farmers in the wetland areas share ideas
on relocation plans.
Citing the presidential directive to evict people who have
encroached on wetlands, Akankwasa says that, their teams are mapping out
wetlands, swamps, and streams, among others to ease ongoing sensitization
drives of encroachers to survive in other fields, which are environmentally
sustaining. Akankwasa said that skilling affected persons in other alternatives
like beekeeping, dairy farming, and piggery, among others are better options
for income generation, rather than over-reliance on small rice gardens in
swamps and wetlands. https://www.independent.co.ug/nema-assures-busoga-on-special-program-before-eviction-from-wetlands/
BLACK QUARTER DISEASE’ KILLS DOZENS OF
CATTLE IN TEREGO
Livestock
farmers in Terego district are counting losses following the death of 15 cattle
due to a suspected outbreak of black quarter disease. The most hit areas are
Eretpea, Kulua, and Odravu villages in Ejoni Parish Uriama sub-county and parts
of Leju Town council. According to the residents in the affected area, the
disease started wreaking havoc two weeks ago.
Simon
Angupale, a livestock farmer in Eretpea village, Ejoni Parish explains that he
has so far lost two cows to the deadly disease. He further disclosed that an
infected animal loses body energy which makes it appear weak and suddenly falls
and dies.
Ibrahim Adiga Juma, the councilor representing Ejoni Parish to
Uriama sub-county notes that livestock farmers in his Parish are now living in
fear because of the devastation caused by the diseases which are posing a
danger to the livelihood of the farmers.
Black quarter animal disease also known as black leg disease is a
severe acute, burning, and highly fatal disease of cattle and sheep caused by
Clostridium chauvoei. Usually, the onset is sudden, and a few animals may be
found dead without premonitory signs. An infected animal presents with acute,
severe lameness, more commonly affecting the hind legs, and marked depression.
Initially, there is a fever, but by the time clinical signs are obvious, body
temperature may be normal or subnormal.
https://www.independent.co.ug/black-quarter-disease-kills-dozens-of-cattle-in-terego/
UGANDA’S REFUGEE PROGRAMME NEEDS MORE FOOD – HILLARY ONEK
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees,
Hillary Onek has called on the international community to increase funding for
Uganda to enable it to feed the growing population of refugees. Engineer Onek
appealed while receiving 2000 metric tons of rice worth 8.5 billion Uganda
Shillings donated by Japan to feed refugees.
Onek
revealed that currently refugees are feeding on one meal a day, and some have
started involving in unacceptable activities like stealing from people’s
gardens to survive.
He added that the issue of refugees is not Uganda’s problem, it is
an international problem where the world has to help Uganda feed the refugees. The
minister applauded the government of Japan for its consistent support of
Uganda’s refugees. He added that Japan has been improving on the funding to
Uganda to support the growing numbers of refugees.
Fukazawa
Hidemoto, the Japanese ambassador to Uganda noted that the food prices
have continued to rise due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. He said the war
has worsened the food and energy situation in the world.
The ambassador pledged that his country will continue to support
the medium and long-term approaches to assistance to mitigate food and
nutrition insecurity situation in the refugee settlements. Marcus Prior the
Deputy Country Director of the World Food Program in Uganda said that Japan’s
contribution will help the World Food Program to provide meals to 50, 000 new
arriving refugees from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Somalia, and Sudan. https://www.independent.co.ug/ugandas-refugee-programme-needs-more-food-hillary-onek/
KARAMOJA GETS SHS139BILLION NUTRITION
PROJECT, GENTU
A 139
billion Shillings nutrition project has been launched in the Karamoja
sub-region. The project dubbed ‘’Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and
Uganda (GENTU) will be implemented by Action Against Hunger in partnership with
Karamoja Women’s Umbrella Organization. It will cover the districts of
Nakapiripirit, Moroto, and Nabilatuk.
The
project is funded by the World Food Programme-WFP, Sida Humanitarian,
EUTF RISE, Swedish Embassy Resilience, Alborada Trust, the German
government, the Netherlands Government, the French government, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees USAID and Save the Children. It aims at
improving nutrition for the poorest and most marginalized, especially women,
adolescent girls, and children.
Ritah
Kabamyoro, the Action Against Hunger Country Director emphasized the need to
strengthen the provision of quality gender-equitable integrated nutrition and
health services, particularly for the most marginalized. https://www.independent.co.ug/karamoja-gets-shs139billion-nutrition-project-gentu/
LOW FERTILIZER USE WORRIES EXPERTS
Agricultural and soil experts have expressed concern over Uganda’s
low fertilizer uptake, Uganda’s soil fertility and nutritional value are
reported to be gradually depreciating over the years, and according to the
experts, this trend explains the shift in food-sourcing regions within the
country, and eventually, it will lead to total extinction if nothing is done.
Available
information indicates that on average Uganda uses between 1.8 to 3 kilograms of
fertilizer per acre which is far below the average. At the launch of the new
bio-fertilizer which was engineered using Denmark technology, Prof. Julius
Zaake, Uganda’s first soil professor, said that Uganda being a largely
agricultural country, its soil is overworked and needs to be re-energized with
massive fertilization which is not the case at the moment.
He adds
that Uganda’s soil has deliberately been neglected, and it has not been
prioritized, irrespective of the country’s 2006 commitment to use up to 50
kilograms per acre by 2015. According to Zaake, the set commercial agriculture
export targets can hardly be achieved unless something is done about the
ongoing soil degradation.
At an average rate of 1.8 to 3 kilograms per acre, makes Uganda
one of the lowest fertilizer users in Africa, and Zaake says this makes
agriculture unsustainable yet it employs up to 70 percent of Ugandans. He adds
that this will also affect the country’s food security as yields will continue
to decrease since even the current food hub is also affected. https://www.independent.co.ug/low-fertilizer-use-worries-experts/
BUSOGA PREMIER ASKS MUSEVENI TO ENSURE
STABILITY OF SUGARCANE PRICES
The Prime
Minister of Busoga Kingdom, Joseph Muvawala, who also serves as the Executive
Director of the National Planning Authority-NPA, has urged President Yoweri
Museveni to take a personal role in ensuring the stability of sugarcane prices,
thereby enabling farmers to realize meaningful profits.
Addressing the first Busoga Lukiiko meeting of 2024 at the
Kingdom’s headquarters in Bugembe, Muvawala emphasized the need for President
Museveni to engage directly with both millers and farmers to establish a fair pricing
formula, especially during bumper harvest seasons.
Muvawala contends that sugarcane, being a crucial raw material for
various products including sugar and ethanol, necessitates an equitable pricing
framework aimed at securing substantial profits for farmers. He criticized
the current situation where millers hold unilateral power over pricing
decisions, highlighting Busoga as the largest sugarcane-growing region in the
country. He emphasized the importance of market competitiveness and fair
pricing ratios to ensure farmers benefit adequately from their role as key
suppliers to the millers. https://www.independent.co.ug/busoga-premier-wants-museveni-to-preside-over-stability-of-sugarcane-prices/
As we start a new week, AgroRef Uganda reaffirms its commitment to
keep informed Ugandan farmers especially small-holder farmers and other key
stakeholders.
Farmers have a right to know. It is our duty to keep them informed
A great week ahead
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