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National Agriculture Policy
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National Agriculture Policy
responsible for water shall increase investment in off-farm bulk water
development, including larger reservoir dam construction, bulk water
transfer systems, water diversion systems, and aquifer exploration, in
collaboration with MAAIF.
34. The increased frequency and intensity of weather events linked to climate
change including heavy rainfall, floods, and hailstorms, negatively affect
agricultural activities and food security. Currently, there are no reliable
predictions or early warning systems of the likely impacts of climate
change in Uganda. In addition, drought and other climatic extremes are
factors contributing to food insecurity in the famine prone areas of the
Karamoja region and the cattle corridor between south-western Uganda
and Karamoja. Most of these areas are semi-arid, with annual rainfall of
less than 700 mm, which is subject to a high degree of unreliability both
from year to year and in the distribution within each year.
35. The environment and natural resources sector shall mainstream appro-
priate policy measures on environmental management and natural re-
sources in their programmes and intervene, in collaboration with MAAIF
and other relevant ministries and agencies, to mitigate the impact of cli-
mate change and extreme weather events on agriculture in areas of high
risk. An Environment and Natural Resources Sector Investment Plan has
been developed and it addresses the points of concern relevant to the
agriculture sector. Implementation of this Sector Investment Plan will be
coordinated in collaboration with MAAIF, other relevant ministries, and lo-
cal governments.
4.5 Ministry Responsible for Market Infrastructure Development
36. The policy strategies on production, storage, marketing and quality as-
surance and control require a well developed and maintained agricultural
marketing infrastructure. The infrastructure includes, but is not limited
to physical crop and livestock markets, fish handling facilities, abattoirs,
warehouses, silos and cold chain storage. Though the quantity and quality
of market infrastructure has improved over time due to investments by
the national government, local governments, and the private sector; infra-
structure is still inadequate, generally in poor condition, and unevenly dis-
tributed. The Ministry responsible for Local Government, in collaboration
with other relevant ministries and local governments, will work with the
private sector to establish, rehabilitate, improve, and manage marketing
infrastructure and ensure that the facilities are located at strategic points
for optimal access by producers, processors, traders, and consumers.
4.6 Ministry Responsible for Market Information
37. Farmers and agribusinesses require market information to take advan-
tage of market opportunities in the domestic, regional and international
markets. While there are several market information products and ser-
vices in Uganda in both the public and private sectors, their scope, access,
quality and timeliness are generally insufficient. The Ministry responsi-
ble for Trade and Industry shall collaborate with MAAIF, other relevant
ministries and the private sector to implement policies, that will foster
efficient, sustainable and timely market information systems for farmers,
traders and processors. In addition, market information users shall be
educated on optimal utilization of the information provided.
4.7 Ministry Responsible for Trade and Industry
38. Trade services include financial services, market information, storage and
transport. As Uganda’s domestic and external trade in food and agricul-
tural products expands, there is need to ensure compliance with interna-
tionally recognized product safety regulations and standards. The Minis-
try responsible for Trade and Industry in collaboration with MAAIF and the
private sector will review or enact necessary laws and regulations and
enhance private and public sector capacities to enforce and implement
them. The curricula at agribusiness-related training institutions will be
upgraded in order to build the capacity of agribusinesses to comply with
these standards and regulations. It will also be responsible for deepening
and increasing coverage of the Warehouse Receipt System (WRS).
39. Agricultural trade related services include trade information, trade fi-
nance, standards and regulations. The Ministry responsible for Trade and
Industry shall, in collaboration with MAAIF, the private sector and other
related MDAs, develop and implement a national agricultural trade and
marketing information system; increase awareness of the private sector
on available financing options and standards; formulate and implement
agriculture and food safety standards and policies on sanitary and phy-
tosanitary measures and promote the effective positioning of Uganda’s
agricultural products and services in regional and international markets.
4.8 Agricultural Training and Skills Development
40. The strategies pursued by this policy on production, marketing and value
addition require skilled and creative human resources. The Ministries re-
sponsible for training and skills development will promote investments
in agricultural education, research and advisory services in collaboration
with MAAIF, the Ministries of Education and Local Government and the
local governments.