LEST YOU FORGET, WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES Edition (XII) 2024
AGROREF UGANDA
YOU HAVE
A RIGHT TO KNOW; WEEKLY AGRICULTURE –COOPERATIVES (AGRICO) NEWS UPDATES
LEST YOU FORGET;
EDITION-(XII) 2ND June,
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 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.
NAADS DISTRIBUTES OVER 3,000 PIGS TO FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Government of Uganda through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) has resumed the distribution of livestock materials mainly pigs to special interest groups across the country for improved household incomes. According to Dr. Thomas Nsemerirwe, the Livestock Development Officer at NAADS, in this current financial year 2023/24, NAADS has procured a total of 3,352 pigs, and distribution to beneficiaries has commenced with four archdioceses of Kampala, Gulu, Tororo and Mbarara among those that have received first. https://naads.or.ug/naads-distributes-over-3000-pigs-to-farmers-across-the-country/
UGANDA IMPOUNDS DRC-BOUND FISH FROM KENYAN TRADERS
Tons of fish from Kenya destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) through Uganda have been blocked by the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU) and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) at Kikorongo near the Mpondwe border. Monitor has learned that truck registration number UBH 652B was blocked last Thursday by the FPU and detained its occupants, including Mr Tyson Malaba and Ms Sarah Nabwire. Mr Malaba said the fish consignment from Kenya had been stopped by the FPU at Kikorongo because it had not gone through the four companies registered by the MAAIF. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-impounds-drc-bound-fish-from-kenyan-traders-4645266
MINISTER BWINO ADVOCATES FOR ORGANIC FARMING METHODS TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY
State Minister for Agriculture, Mr Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, has urged farmers to adopt organic farming methods to enhance food security and their livelihoods. Launching a five-year project dubbed, "Rooted in Diversity-RID Partnership for Food Security and Livelihoods," in Entebbe on Friday, the minister emphasized the importance of organic farming in improving soil nutrients and reducing harmful chemical use. "The project will promote organic agriculture, benefiting 30,000 households across the country. We need to intensify organic agriculture by applying organic materials in our gardens," Mr Kyakulaga appealed to farmers. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/minister-bwino-advocates-for-organic-farming-methods-to-enhance-food-security-4644100
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATIONS IN HIGH GEAR
LWERA WETLAND DEGRADATION TAKES A TOLL ON RESIDENTS
Back in the day, Lwera wetland located along Kampala Masaka highway was known for its ecological significance and beauty but that is no more, owing to full scale degradation. Zedi Kasule, mayor for Kayabwe town council, Mpigi district says Lwera wetland is blessed with sand deposits but they have become a curse to the area residents. Illegal miners have degraded the area so much that whenever it rains, floods cut off villages like Nakibanga and Kisama. The area has also become prone to hailstorms that destroy houses and gardens. But also, in greater Mpigi area, Fr. Dr. Christopher Mukidi says there is rampant destruction of trees and wetlands which has caused untold damage to the environment. Mukidi is Deputy Vice chancellor for Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Nkozi located in the same area. He says, degraders engage in agricultural activities like rice growing. Others earn from car washing but there is also unregulated use of pesticides and herbicides by farmers. Kasule says; “We formed different groups to fight degraders but majority are highly guarded. Police and NEMA have tried to intervene in vain.” https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/lwera-wetland-degradation-takes-a-toll-on-res-NV_189315
DRY MONTHS AHEAD FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN UGANDA
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has announced that seasonal rainfall is expected during the months of June to August. According to the weather report released on May 29, 2024, meteorologists noted that the months of June, July, and August will experience a dry season in the southern, central, and Lake Victoria basin regions. A weather report signed by Bob Alex Ogwang, the acting executive director of the Uganda National Meteorological Authority, indicates a continuation of rainfall in the northern parts of the country. “It marks the end of the first rainfall season and harvesting period for season crops for most parts of the country,” Ogwang said. Additionally, Ogwang stated that the general rainfall forecasts indicate that the northern parts of the country are expected to receive above-average rainfall. Ogwang explains that the current neutral state of the sea surface temperatures over the equatorial Central Pacific is a contributing factor to the weather patterns. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/dry-months-ahead-for-central-and-southern-uga-NV_189282
ADDRESSING SOIL EROSION AND DRAINAGE ISSUES IN KAMPALA: A CALL TO ACTION
Kampala, the bustling capital city of Uganda, finds itself grappling with a pressing challenge: soil erosion. The city's exposed surfaces bear the brunt of this issue, leading to a concerning accumulation of soil in drainage systems. This not only burdens the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) with increased maintenance costs but also poses environmental and aesthetic concerns for the city. The stark reality of uncovered soil surfaces in Kampala fuels soil erosion and exacerbates drainage issues, resulting in heightened maintenance costs for the KCCA and degradation of the environment. A proposed policy mandates all residents and entities to either plant grass or install pavers on exposed soil surfaces. This strategic move aims to curtail soil erosion and diminish the influx of soil into drainage systems. Another proposed policy encourages community participation in paving access roads. Through collaborative efforts and resource pooling, communities can not only enhance road infrastructure but also contribute to soil conservation by minimizing exposed surfaces. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/addressing-soil-erosion-and-drainage-issues-i-NV_189197
ONION PRICES RISING DUE TO SUPPLY SHORTAGES, SAYS UBOS
Onion prices in the market have surged over the past year, with the cost of a kilogram rising to sh5,875 in May 2024 from sh3,172 in May 2023, representing an 85% jump according to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos). On a monthly basis, the price of a kilogram of onions edged up to sh5,875 in May from sh5,852 in April according to the national average retail prices by Ubos. Godfrey Magoma, senior statistician at Ubos told New Vision that onion prices have skyrocketed in the market due to a severe supply shortage. He said the combination of seasonality and low supply has led to a significant increase in prices. “When supply is good, prices tend to decrease. But right now, supply is low, and that’s driving up prices,” Magoma said. “If you look at the data from last month, prices have been steadily increasing, indicating a shortage of onions in the market. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/agriculture/onion-prices-rising-due-to-supply-shortages-s-NV_189194
GOVT URGED ON DWINDLING YOUTH INTEREST IN AGRICULTURE
The Government has been urged to address the dwindling youth
interest in agriculture. Makerere University don Dr Fred Muhumuza says the loss
of interest in agriculture by the youth could have implications for food
security and employment, and could also undermine the Government efforts to
drive economic growth through agriculture. According to Muhumuza, an
economist with Makerere University, although young people form the biggest
chunk of the total population of Uganda, many are now preferring ventures that
are “less stimulating to economy” such as bodaboda riding and seeking menial
jobs abroad.
IBANDA COFFEE GROWERS OPTIMISTIC DESPITE RECENT DROP IN PRICES
FARMERS URGED ON EMBRACING IMPROVED SEED VARIETIES
OVER 74M PEOPLE ARE FOOD INSECURE IN HORN OF AFRICA: REPORT
UGANDA TO HOST AFRICAN POTATO ASSOCIATION’S CONFERENCE
Uganda is set to host the 13th African Potato Association’s (APA) Conference next year between May 25 and 30. Uganda is currently holding duo leadership for the APA as President and Vice President. The theme for the conference to be held in Kampala is; “Fostering Climate Smart Cropping Systems for Sustainable Potato and Sweet Potato Value Chains”. The minister for agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze made the revelation in a speech read for him by the commissioner crop Dr Paul Mwambu at the commemoration of the inaugural International Potato Day at Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday, May 30, 2024.Uganda has today (Thursday) joined the rest of the world in commemorating the first-ever International Day of Potato, to raise awareness about the nutritional and economic value of potatoes across the world.
CLIMATE CHANGE: GOVT TO LOSE SH22 TRILLION BY 2050
UGANDAN TEA BRANDS RECOGNISED FOR EXCELLENCE
AFRICA’S YOUNG INNOVATORS TO SHOWCASE AGRIC-TECHNOLOGIES IN KIGALI
African agritech innovators are to meet in Kigali in the
second week of June to showcase technology-driven solutions developed by youth
that will transform the agriculture sector. Currently, the sector is faced with
challenges such as adulterated agrochemicals, declining soil fertility,
post-harvest losses, lack of markets, high cost of transport,
and inadequate value-addition technologies in addition to the changing
climate among others. This was revealed by Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior
Vice President of Africa Programs at Heifer International, in a press
statement released on
GOV’T WAITS FOR CLEARANCE ON CATTLE MOVEMENT TO RESUME BALAALO EVICTION
The Implementation of Executive Order Number 3 is set to resume in Northern Uganda once the government lifts animal quarantine in some parts of the country, State Minister for Northern Uganda, Dr. Kenneth Omona has revealed. Executive Order No.3 was issued by President Museveni in May last year and aimed at addressing complaints of illegal land acquisition by Migrant cattle keepers also commonly known as Balaalo and abetting environmental injustices in Northern Uganda. Its implementation commenced in November last year, but the exercise stalled early this year in several districts in the region. Dr. Omona told stakeholders at a meeting in Gulu City Friday that the national quarantine imposed on animal movement by the Ministry of Agriculture following the outbreak of FMD in more than 20 districts affected the eviction exercise. In February this year, the Ministry of Agriculture imposed quarantine in several districts after an outbreak of FMD to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease that affects cloven hoof animals.
TOMATO, FRESH LEAF VEGETABLE PRICES INCREASE UGANDA’S INFLATION RATE
Uganda’s increased headline inflation rate has been attributed to the soaring prices of fresh leaves vegetables and tomatoes. This is according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for the last 12 months ending May 2024. The report shows that the annual inflation measure increased to 3.6 percent, compared to 3.2 percent for the same period ending in April. According to the report, tomato prices increased by 19.5 percent in the year ending May 2024, compared to 3.4 percent in April. It further states that “Fresh leaves prices increased by 13.5 percent in the year ending May 2024, compared to 1.6 percent registered in April 2024.” As per the report, these two commodities registered the highest price increment rates from the surveyed period. This increment saw the annual food crop and related items register an increase of minus 1.4 percent, up from the minus 2.4 percent of April.
https://www.independent.co.ug/tomato-fresh-leaf-vegetable-prices-increase-ugandas-inflation-rate/
WFP SEEKS 109 MILLION USD TO FUND REFUGEE OPERATIONS IN UGANDA IN 2024
The UN World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday said it is seeking about 109 million U.S. dollars to support refugee operations in Uganda through 2024. Michael Dunford, the WFP regional director for Eastern Africa who is currently on a tour in Uganda, said the crisis in Sudan had resulted in more than 33,000 refugees crossing border into Uganda. “Many of these refugees have lost everything. Among them are former humanitarian workers who once provided assistance to the displaced but are now in need of support themselves,” Dunford said in a statement sent to the media.
REGIONAL NEWSUPDATES
Tanzania will export 500,000 tonnes of maize to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under a trade agreement signed on May 21, 2024. Tanzanian authorities have urged maize farmers to seek markets in neighbouring countries for their surplus. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the country expects bumper harvest, and the surplus will exceed the preliminary demand assessment of maize, more than 1.2 million tonnes estimated for export markets in neighbouring countries. National Food Reserve Agency is set to purchase cereals from farmers earlier in July due to expected bumper maize harvests from key growing areas in southern.
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM AS KENYA, UGANDA TRADE IN SUGAR, MILK RESUMES
A section of Uganda businesses resumed trading with Kenya after the signing of a memorandum by Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni in Nairobi last week, ending longstanding issues chocking cross-border commercial activities. While trade in sugar and milk has resumed, businesses are still cautious, as a number of taxes, including those on Kenyan juice, are yet to be reviewed. Simon Kaheru, vice-chairman of the East African Business Council, who also chairs the Ugandan Private sector, told The EastAfrican that the Nairobi meeting was very helpful in opening up the two countries to trade.
TANZANIA TO SELL 500,000 TONNES OF MAIZE TO DRC
Tanzania is set to sell 500,000 tonnes of maize to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is currently facing a food shortage. An agreement was signed on Tuesday in the capital Dodoma between the state-run National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and Quincy Company, based in DRC's Katanga Province. Gerald Mweri, permanent secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Agriculture, said the first consignment will consist of 200,000 tonnes of maize, followed by the remaining 300,000 tonnes.
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