KAMPALA – Speaking at the launch of the ninth edition of the Harvest Money Expo, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, called on all districts in Uganda to send representatives to the upcoming 10th edition of the event.
“There is no better extension platform than the Harvest Money Expo, and I want to challenge the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries to ensure that representatives from all districts attend. At the very least, each district should send at least two extension workers. These see the latest innovations and technologies in agriculture and they then go back and guide the farmers at the grassroots,” he stated.
Tumwebaze made these remarks after witnessing significant advancements in value addition, mechanisation, technological innovation, and agricultural practices showcased at the expo.
Med Mwiri, Marketing Manager at ENSOL Engineering Solutions, demonstrated cutting-edge tractor technology featuring an auto-steering system designed to enhance precision in planting through satellite monitoring.
“This technology ensures accuracy, particularly in seed planting. All that is required is to programme the desired planting pattern, and the tractor will autonomously follow the specified lines,” Mwiri explained to the minister.
To promote inclusivity and strengthen the agricultural value chain, Tumwebaze urged suppliers to categorise their products based on the needs of different farming groups—small-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale farmers.
“My appeal to suppliers across the value chain is to tailor their products to different farming categories. While 90-horsepower tractors are useful, we would also like to see 40-horsepower models to better suit small- and medium-scale farmers,” he said.
He emphasised that effective mechanisation would enhance productivity and drive economic growth, arguing that manual labour is increasingly inefficient and economically unviable.
“If you want to scale up production, technology must cater to all market segments,” he added. In his closing remarks, Tumwebaze encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices by respecting nature and being intentional about their farming methods.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Speaking at the launch of the ninth edition of the Harvest Money Expo, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, called on all districts in Uganda to send representatives to the upcoming 10th edition of the event. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
