Like it has been for some time now, on 17 th /04/2018, CSOs under their umbrella organization
CSBAG, presented their concerns to the parliamentary committee of agriculture to try and
assist the committee while interacting with the ministry of agriculture on next year’s budget so
as to ensure that the ultimate budget responds to the aspirations of the people. Among the
concerns presented, CSOs asked the committee to task the Ministry to ensure that;
i. The Top Policy Management (TPM) of MAAIF resolves that starting the FY2018/19, all
agencies’ plans and reports should go through the policy and planning unit of the Ministry and
the unit should be strengthened to deliver on this function.
ii. An addition of at least UGX 20bn is allocated to MAAIF for the control of pest, diseases and
vectors: A case of the Fall Army Worm and the foot and mouth disease among.
iii. Government expedites and provides UGX 16 billion for the recruitment of 1,968 extension
workers to achieve the targeted 5,000 extension workers in the District Local Government. In
addition at least UGX 10bn should be allocated as non-wage to support the newly recruited
extension workers and at least UGX3bn to skill the recruited extension workers and safe guard
the quality of services provided to farmers.
iv. MAAIF operationalizes the strategy on improving the capacity for quality assurance,
regulation, food and safety standards for outputs and products across crops, livestock and
fisheries sub-sectors into specific costed interventions with targets and outcomes.
As CSOs, we are raising these pertinent issues which are hindering the full utilisation and
exploitation of the agriculture sector in Uganda. The agricultural sector has great potential to
contribute to GDP growth, exports, employment and poverty reduction. However adequate
investment in the sector continues to fall short of appreciating the severity of the sector’s
importance nationally, regionally, continentally and globally.
By Jude Ssebuliba
