LEST YOU FORGET, WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES Edition (VII) 2024
AGROREF UGANDA
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW; WEEKLY AGRICULTURE –COOPERATIVES (AGRICO)
NEWS
LEST YOU FORGET; EDITION-(VII) 18th-24th March
2024
About AgroRef Uganda
Agriculture Reform (AgroRef) Uganda is a Not-for-Profit
Organization focusing on advancing agricultural policy reforms, budget
advocacy; and supporting the building of systems, fostering values of equity,
accountability, transparency, and sustainability of organisations, especially smallholder
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.
EASC/TC 015, EDIBLE FATS AND OILS HARMONIZATION AND EDITING
MEETING, KAMPALA, UGANDA,18TH – 22ND MARCH 2024
AgroRef Uganda attended and participated in the regional harmonization meeting of the EASC/TC 015 on Oilseeds, Edible Fats, and Oils as convened by the East African Community and held on 18th – 22nd March 2024. The meeting was hosted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards at the Bureau’s Headquarters, in Kampala. The meeting was physically attended by delegates from three Partner States; the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of South Sudan, and the Republic of Uganda. The Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania attended the meeting virtually.
The Head of Food and Agriculture Division, Standards Development, Mr. Hakim Mufumbiro, noted that the Committee had achieved a lot of success over the years in harmonizing commodity products within the EAC region which has resulted in increased trade within the region. He noted that there are emerging products within the scope of the TC that need to be harmonized to ensure smooth cross-border trade with the EAC region and beyond.
The Deputy Executive Director for Standards, UNBS, Ms. Patricia
B. Ejalu noted that EAC has grown over time to emerge as a strong regional
bloc, especially in standardization. The Director reminded the Committee of the
important role it plays in balancing trade facilitation and the safety of the
consumers of the products under its scope.
The standards of the following products were harmonized and edited
during the five days.
DEAS 887: 2023 Crude
and Semi-refined palm oil
DEAS 1169: 2023 Macadamia nut in shell
DEAS 1170: 2023 Cashew Flour
DEAS 1171: 2023 Peanut Flour
LAUNCH OF THE COOPERATIVES REGISTRY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
SYSTEM(CRMIS)
The Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives launched the Cooperatives Registry Management Information System (CRMIS) https://coopmis.mtic.go.ug/ on 14th March 2024 in Mbarara City. The system is a web-based cooperative management system that will enable e-registration of cooperatives, payment using mobile money and VISA, e-certification of documents, e-reservation of names, e-search of cooperatives, onboarding of already existing cooperatives and so much more that happens along the service delivery chain of registration and management of cooperative societies at the Ministry. The system has been possible with support from USAID, Feed the Future Uganda, Institutional and Systems Strengthening (ISS) Activity
The Operationalization of the system will involve:
Validations and Training of internal Stakeholders: These include validations with the Ministry staff and District Commercial Officer.
Validations and Training of external stakeholders: These include Banks, Apex bodies, and institutions supporting Cooperatives in Uganda.
Regional Flag-offs in the Major regions of Uganda for co-operators, district commercial officers, Local government officials, and other agencies involved in Cooperatives work. At these flag-offs, week-long onboarding clinics will be held to facilitate the migration of cooperatives to the system.
Continuous Training.
Set up of Information Access centres at the Parishes to enable the cooperatives to access the system.
https://www.mtic.go.ug/launch-of-the-cooperatives-registry-management-information-systemcrmis/
ITALIAN AMBASSADOR RALLIES UGANDANS TO EMBRACE AGRO MECHANISATION
The
Ambassador of Italy to Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, Mauro Massoni, has rallied
Ugandans to embrace agricultural mechanization to foster economic growth in the
country. Agricultural mechanisation involves the application of mechanical
technology to enhance the productivity of labour in agriculture. This
includes the use of various types of tractors, animal-powered and human-powered
implements, internal combustion engines, and other energy sources. Massoni
said mechanisation will help Uganda increase its productivity hence increasing
the amount of business orders that come in since there will be the capability
to meet the demand. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/italian-ambassador-rallies-ugandans-to-embrac-NV_184270
THE HEAT WAVE MUST ENCOURAGE FARMERS TO HARVEST WATER
The heat wave has created a negative impact on the farming sector in many ways. Crops, such as coffee, are drying up faster, cassava and other root crops are showing signs of exhaustion due to the fast-dwindling water. If you keep livestock, they certainly need more water to drink while animals, such as pigs, are directly watered to cool down their bodies. Unfortunately, most farmers have no water to save their crops or water their livestock. Meanwhile, the first rainy season of 2024 is starting soon.
While the water is about to start falling, over 95% of it flows into valleys before drying into the soil. The flooding around most of the river valleys, including Katonga, Rwizi in Mbarara and Namwasa in the Rwenzori, was largely a result of the fact that there is hardly water harvesting in the country. For years, the use of rainwater has been and is still low, despite the heavy rains received. Focus has instead been on metered water systems regardless of their overhead costs.
PLANET 'ON THE BRINK' AFTER WARMEST DECADE ON RECORD, UN WARNS
Global temperatures "smashed" heat records last year, as heatwaves stalked oceans and glaciers suffered record ice loss, the United Nations said Tuesday -- warning 2024 was likely to be even hotter. The annual State of the Climate report by the UN's World Meteorological Organization confirmed preliminary data showing 2023 was by far the hottest year ever recorded. And last year was part of "the warmest 10-year period on record", the WMO weather and climate agency said, with even hotter temperatures expected going forward.
"There is a high probability that 2024 will again break the record of 2023", WMO climate monitoring chief Omar Baddour told reporters. Reacting to the report, UN chief Antonio Guterres said it showed "a planet on the brink". "Earth's issuing a distress call," he said in a video address, pointing out that "fossil fuel pollution is sending climate chaos off the charts", and warning that "changes are speeding up".
RESEARCH TO INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION – RESEARCHERS TOLD
The
state minister for animal industry, Bright Rwamirama, has appealed to
researchers in universities and other institutions in Africa to focus on
research initiatives that will increase food production to eliminate hunger on
the African continent.
He said researchers from universities and other agricultural-based
institutions and organizations should concentrate their brains on developing
tangible solutions for the challenges facing smallholder farmers at a farm
level.
According to the minister, farmers are facing a lot of challenges including
changing weather patterns that affect farm yields, but most of the research
projects do not offer immediate solutions.
For a change, he said, research projects should be able to lead to better farm
yields by moving from production to productivity.
“We must do things differently; our focus should move from production to
productivity and the Government is willing to support initiatives that can lead
to an increase in production and eliminate hunger in our communities,” the
minister said.
BUKEDEA AND KUMI LEADERS APPEAL OVER ANIMAL QUARANTINE
The
leadership of Kumi and Bukedea districts have decried the low revenue
collection due to the quarantine instituted a month ago by the ministry of
Agriculture, Animal industries and Fisheries (MAAIF).
The quarantine was imposed following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease
that was first reported in the sub-counties of Komuge, Koina, Kongung in
Bukedea district.
“People have been greatly affected because it was through the sale of their
cattle that they are able to send their children to school, but all cattle
markets have been closed,” said the district chairperson Mary Akol.
Bukedea has an estimated 65,000 cattle that are to be vaccinated but the
government sent 21,000 doses of vaccines.
“We hope that the ministry sends more doses to enable us to cover the entire
district,” said the district veterinary officer Dr. Francis Ongelch.
'UGANDA TO LOSE OVER SH540 TRILLION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN 40 YEARS'
Uganda will lose $140-260b (about shillings 540 trillion) in an interval of 40 years in the agriculture and water sector if no action is taken to adapt to climate change, an official from FAO has said. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations says on average 800,000 hectares of crops in the country are destroyed by climate-related events including floods and dry spells every year. “And more than 100,000 hectares of forest are destroyed annually,” David Ogwang, FAO's programme specialist and field office coordinator in northern Uganda, says.
Ogwang made the remarks during the Green Schools training organised by Vision Group in partnership with FAO through funding from the Swedish Embassy at Lira Town College in Lira City on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Ogwang added that the future projections indicate that rainfall will decrease by 132.9-188.2mm annually and temperature will rise by 1.6 to 5.3 degrees centigrade by 2080 across different regions of Uganda. “Uganda will lose $140-260b between 2010-2050 as a result of climate-related events if no actions are taken,” he said.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/uganda-to-lose-over-sh540-trillion-to-climate-NV_184026
KIKUUBE BEEKEEPERS DECRY DWINDLING BEE POPULATION, WANT HERBICIDES REGULATED
Farmers in Kikuube,
especially in the beekeeping business, have decried the dwindling population of
key crop pollinators: The bees.
The farmers claim that herbicides are responsible for the development and are,
therefore, calling for the regulation of herbicide use in the district.
Instead, they have asked the district leaders to promote organic manure use.
Kikuube District Beekeeping Farmers’ Cooperative Society chairperson Simon
Byamukama says the increasing environmental destruction and use of herbicides
by farmers is reducing the population of bees and other important insects.
He noted that because most farmers are using chemicals (herbicides) to prepare
their gardens, the bees get killed as they move to collect pollen.
According to him, Kikuube used to have many bees but the population has reduced
as a result of using herbicides and destruction of forest.
Byamukama adds that this is also a big challenge to the beekeepers because when
they set up beehives it takes a long period for them to be colonised (bees
entering and settling in them) and that in some cases, the hives remain
uncolonised.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/kikuube-beekeepers-decry-dwindling-bee-popula-NV_183954
GOV’T EARMARKS SH35B FOR REGISTRATION OF COFFEE FARMERS
The Government is committed to register all coffee farmers and have the National Traceability System in place so as to comply with the European Union Regulations on deforestation-free products (EUDR), Dr Emmanuel Iyamulemye, the Managing Director at Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), has revealed. Iyamulemye said the National Coffee Register as provided for in the National Coffee Act 2021, will be a precursor to the creation of a National Traceability System (NTS) aligned with European Union Regulations on deforestation-free products (EUDR) requirements. The register will assign unique identifiers and geolocations to all coffee farms. Iyamulemye said Government through the Ministry of Finance is committed to registering farmers in a phased manner.
“The exercise requires up to $9.15m (sh35.6b). The Ministry of Finance has committed to provide up to sh13b in the 2024/25 financial year towards farmer registration and the National Traceability System,” Iyamulemye said, adding that further funds will be provided in subsequent years. Iyamulemye was speaking at a stakeholders meeting held at Serena Hotel on Tuesday to validate the National Action Plan for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) and EU regulations on deforestation-free products (EUDR) in the coffee value chain.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/govt-earmarks-sh35b-for-registration-of-coffe-NV_183934
FMD VACCINES EXPECTED IN APRIL — MAAIF
The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, which the government ordered in December 2023 are expected in the country, in the first week of April. This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama. Following the outbreak of FMD in November last year, in one of the cattle corridor districts, the Minister of Agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze appealed to Parliament for funds for the purchase of FMD vaccines. The request was later approved by Cabinet, leading to the release of funds for 10 million doses, to carry out ring vaccination to contain the diseases.
“I can now tell you that we expect FMD vaccines at the beginning of April. But these vaccines will not even be enough. What we have done is anticipate and order more 10 million vaccines after the first batch that was ordered. And then in the medium to long term, we are going to get 44 million dozes twice a year,” Kasura said. About the funding, he said that Cabinet has already approved the budget for these vaccines, adding that unlike in the past when vaccines were being given out for free, after the first batch, which will be given out for free, the rest will be given out on a cost-sharing basis.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/fmd-vaccines-expected-in-april-maaif-NV_183810
ARABICA COFFEE PRICES IN IBANDA HIT TWO-YEAR HIGH
Arabica coffee was trading at highs last recorded about two years back in Ibanda on Monday, with a kilogramme of the beans (clean) going for sh12,000. This shows an increase from sh11,000 a kilo last week, sh10,200 in mid-February, and sh10,000 at the beginning of February. However, the beans cost sh11,000 in Kashangura town, Kagongo Division in Ibanda Municipality. Arabica coffee beans hit record highs of sh12,000 in mid-2022 but dropped to sh8,000 per kilo at the start of December 2023.
Although the Arabica coffee harvest season is mid-way, the quantities coming to the market are minimal and dwindling, according to Gerald Mubangizi, a coffee dealer. Apollo Bigirwa attributed this to climate change impacts, explaining that the district received a lot of rain during the flowering stage, which hurt the crop, leading to low production. Arabica coffee requires sunny spells for a good crop, he added.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/business/arabica-coffee-prices-in-ibanda-hit-two-year-NV_183809
HIGH TEMPERATURES TO SUBSIDE NEXT WEEK, SAYS UNMA
The current high
temperatures being experienced across the country will come to an end next
week.
As soon as they stop, the country will experience normal seasonal rains also
termed planting rains. This is according to the Uganda National Meteorology
Authority (UNMA).
According to UNMA’s George William Omony, the manager for weather forecasting,
the current heat is partly because the sun is above the equator, a situation
that happens every year and this starts at the beginning of March till April,
but the climax is usually on the 21st of March hence the release of the heat in
the atmosphere, like the one being felt for the last two weeks.
The second reason is the movement of global wind that has suppressed the
rainfall meant for Uganda and neighbouring countries like Tanzania, and Kenya
among other reasons.
PRICES OF MAIZE, MILLET INCREASE IN IBANDA
Maize growers in
Ibanda district can now afford a smile following an increase in the price of
the grains over the past three weeks.
The farm-gate price of maize ranges from sh650-700 per kilogramme in Ibanda
town and Kyeikucu in Kagongo Division, up from sh550 at the end of February. Maize
costs sh500 per kilo in Rushango Town Council, Ibanda South County compared to
sh400 previously.
Presently, produce stockists in Ibanda town retail the grains at around sh850 a
kilo.
Another cereal, millet, rose to sh1,700 per kilo of unsorted millet, increasing
from sh1,500 mid-February. Sorted millet costs sh3,000 per kilogramme, up from
sh2,700 over the same period.
Gerald Mubangizi, a produce dealer in Kyeikucu, attributed the increase in the
price of maize to demand from Kampala as well as Rwandan and Kenyan buyers.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/prices-of-maize-millet-increase-in-ibanda-NV_183797
SH860B DISBURSED IN AGRICULTURAL CREDIT FACILITY – DEPUTY GOVERNOR
The Bank of Uganda
has disbursed sh860b in Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF), the Bank of Uganda
Deputy Governor, Michael Atingi-Ego, has disclosed.
Launched in 2009, the ACF aims to promote value addition in the
agricultural sector by providing affordable medium- and long-term loans.
(ACF) and the Small Business Recovery Fund (SBRF), aimed at bolstering
agricultural value addition and aiding pandemic-affected small businesses.
“The ACF has achieved significant success, with cumulative disbursements
reaching sh860 billion by December 31, 2023. Western Uganda is the second
largest beneficiary of ACF loans, taking a share of 23%, following the central
region, which takes 54%,” Antingi-Ego said.
He made the remarks on Friday while speaking to participants on the role of the
Bank in Socio-economic transformation at Mbarara Town Hall.
He said that 62% of the loans were granted to micro and small farmers under the
Block Allocation arrangement, demonstrating the ACF's potential to enhance
financial inclusion.
The Block Allocation arrangement under the ACF caters to smaller players,
accepting alternative forms of collateral such as movable property, inventories,
and even credit history.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/sh860b-disbursed-in-agricultural-credit-facil-NV_183794
‘INDISCIPLINE IN LIVESTOCK
SECTOR FUELLING SPREAD OF FMD’
Foot and mouth
disease (FMD) which has affected several parts of the country since November
2023 continues to spread due to the indiscipline of stakeholders in the
livestock sector.
The disease spreads through air and contact between the infected animal
and a non-infected animal. Since the outbreak was announced, the disease has
spread to 35 districts, with Kampala being among the latest.
According to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal
Industry and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. David Kasura-Kyomukama, the ministry is
trying to contain the spread of the disease through ring vaccination and
quarantine.
He added that by observing the quarantine rules which involve limited movement
of livestock from the affected districts, through the affected areas, and a
stop on the sale of livestock and related products from the affected areas will
prevent the spread of FMD.
GOVT SEEKS INPUT FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AUTHORITY’S FORMATION
The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has initiated consultations with stakeholders to further enrich the Food and Agriculture Authority. The Authority is being fronted by the government through the agriculture ministry to enforce standards and quality of food items. This was revealed by animal husbandry state minister Bright Rwamirama on March 15, 2024, during the consultative sessions in Entebbe aimed at gathering content to be included in the principles of the Food and Agriculture Authority Bill.
“We are consulting widely as we build towards the full operationalization of the Food and Agriculture Authority. We are engaging health sector experts including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Trade, academia, and the private sector,” Rwamirama said. He added that when ready, the authority will also help to harmonise government efforts towards ensuring the quality and safety of food and food-related products in the country.
COFFEE EXPORT TO EU: GOVT TO TRACE FARMERS ON COFFEE QUALITY
Government is set to introduce a National Coffee Registry to trace farmers on coffee quality. “Once we roll out the traceability system, how we trade coffee will change significantly. A trader will be required to trace coffee back to the plot where it was grown. Each farmer will be registered in the National Coffee Registry, as per the Coffee Act,” Robert Nangatsa, Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) manager coffee extension service, said. He was on Tuesday addressing participants at a coffee stakeholder meeting organised by UCDA in partnership with International Trade Center and Uganda Coffee Federation in Kampala on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
The meeting was aimed at validating the National Action Plan for compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and European Union (EU) regulations on deforestation-free products in the coffee value chain. UCDA and other exporters will be required to present a due diligence statement for each batch of coffee placed on the EU market.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/business/coffee-export-to-eu-govt-to-trace-farmers-on-NV_183357
EAST AFRICAN PARTNER STATES RESOLVE TO EMBRACE GMOS
The 3rd East African
Community (EAC) Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) has resolved
that Partner States should preserve genetic materials for future generations
through creation of a regional genetic store.
The conference that ended in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday further resolved
to address the misconceptions surrounding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
technology and reiterated the need to create awareness of this technology for
it to be embraced in order to meet the food and other needs of the region.
It was noted at the three-day conference that most of the discussions around
the adoption of GMOs were based on misinformation and rumours and that Africa
could lose out on the immense opportunities offered by GMOs to boost food
security, increase agricultural exports, improve nutrition, and eliminate
hunger.
It was agreed that GMO experts should unpack the technology in simple terms for
decision-makers and members of the public to facilitate open debate on the
importance of adopting the technology.
https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/east-african-partner-states-resolve-to-embrac-NV_183222
EXPERTS VALIDATE GUIDELINES FOR MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE FINANCE IN UGANDA
Financial
sector experts have validated draft guidelines requiring the industry to
integrate climate finance into their operations to enable Uganda to mitigate
its vulnerability to human-induced climate change impacts and risks by 2030.
The guidelines illustrate steps for mainstreaming climate change in the
financial sector to help financial institutions better reflect and manage
climate-related risks take advantage of available opportunities and ensure that
institutional goals align with national and international climate policies.
Several financial sector players including the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Ministry of Water and Environment, sector regulators and policy bodies, public and private financial institutions such as Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies – SACCOs commenced the development of the draft guidelines in 2018. In 2022, Uganda fulfilled its obligation by submitting a Nationally Determined Contribution – NDC, a climate action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Paris Agreement projected at USD 28.1 billion (about 109.189 trillion Shillings implementation budget for climate mitigation and adaptation actions.
AgroRef Uganda continues to celebrate the women of Uganda who endure challenging circumstances to greatly contribute to agriculture and the preservation of nature. We cannot thank you enough.
Happy Women's Month.
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