By Nelson Mandela Muhoozi
In a move aimed at improving efficiency in the agricultural sector, Parliament has approved a series of bills that will merge three key agencies—Cotton Development Organisation (CDO), Dairy Development Authority (DDA), and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS)—into the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF).
The decision is part of the government’s broader rationalisation agenda designed to streamline operations, reduce duplication of services, and cut administrative costs in the sector.
Among the bills passed during the plenary on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, was the Cotton Development Organisation (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Linda Auma, the District Woman Representative for Lira and Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, presented the majority report supporting the merger.
She explained that merging CDO’s operations with MAAIF would lead to better coordination, improved service delivery for farmers, and more effective use of public resources.
“This integration will enhance service delivery while making better use of public resources,” Auma stated, highlighting the expected benefits of centralising agricultural management.
However, the merger faced opposition, with Asinansi Nyakato, the City Woman Representative for Hoima, expressing concerns in a minority report, arguing that CDO’s unique mandate was crucial for the growth of Uganda’s cotton industry.
She warned that the cotton sector, a critical export area for Uganda, could suffer if it were absorbed into the broader functions of MAAIF.
“Mainstreaming CDO into the ministry could undermine the foundation that has driven the revival of our cotton industry,” Nyakato cautioned.
In response, Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister of Agriculture, defended the merger, arguing that it would eliminate duplication and create a unified agricultural strategy.
He assured Parliament that the technical staff from CDO would be absorbed into the ministry to preserve expertise.
“The merger will streamline efforts and ensure continuity by retaining key personnel,” Tumwebaze said.
Another significant piece of legislation passed was the Dairy Industry (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which will merge the Dairy Development Authority (DDA) into MAAIF.
DDA has been instrumental in boosting dairy production and ensuring quality assurance, but lawmakers believe merging it into MAAIF will further improve efficiency.
Linda Auma, in her report, emphasised that the dairy industry’s gains in international accreditation and market access would be safeguarded under the ministry’s oversight.
“We recommend that DDA’s contributions, especially in quality assurance and market access, be maintained under the ministry,” she noted.
However, some legislators raised concerns over the merger, fearing it could undermine regulatory advancements in the dairy sector.
The committee’s report stressed that the ministry must ensure ongoing accreditation processes, particularly for Uganda’s National Dairy Analytical Laboratory, are not disrupted.
Despite these concerns, many supported the merger. Wilson Kajwengye Twinomugisha, the Nyabushozi County Representative, argued that dairy farmers were still struggling with low prices, even with DDA’s efforts.
“We produce millions of litres of milk, yet farmers are earning very little. Consolidating resources under the Ministry of Agriculture will help address these issues,” Kajwengye argued.
The final merger was enacted through the National Agricultural Advisory Services (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which dissolves NAADS and transfers its responsibilities to the Directorate of Extension in MAAIF.
Minister Tumwebaze explained that this move would eliminate overlapping roles between NAADS coordinators and traditional agricultural extension officers, resulting in a more streamlined extension service.
“This will create a single-spine extension system, improving service delivery at the grassroots level,” Tumwebaze explained.
Bright Rwamirama, the state minister for Animal Industry, assured Parliament that NAADS’ services would continue under the ministry’s extension system, with specialised officers deployed according to community needs.
“We will still have agricultural, livestock, and fisheries officers working at the sub-county level, ensuring that services are delivered without duplication,” Rwamirama said.
These mergers are part of the government’s wider strategy to improve agricultural service delivery, cut costs, and create a more cohesive operational framework.
While some concerns remain about the potential risks, the committee report noted thay integration of CDO, DDA, and NAADS into MAAIF is a crucial step toward enhancing the county’s agricultural sector.
