By Vision Reporter
Uganda Investment Authority has partnered with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) to support small holder farmers add value to their agriculture produce for sale so as to earn an income.
Through the partnership small holder farmers will be trained on how to maintain standards for both regional and international markets, also processing facilities among others, according to Robert Mukiza, the Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).
“We need to add value to our agriculture produce. We have been sending jobs outside the country. You send out maize and import cornflakes. Will work with AGRA to ensure that our farmers and youth add value to be able to get more wealth, but also have jobs for as the country increases on earnings from exports,” said Mukiza.
He made the remarks on Friday, while signing the partnership through the Letter of Intent between AGRA and the Uganda Investment Authority.
The LoI formalizes a four-year collaboration between the two institutions in especially attracting investments in the agricultural sector in Uganda within the framework of AGRA’s Agribusiness Deal room whose activities culminate into an annual event alongside the Africa Green Revolution Forum that takes place every year, organized by AGRA.
The AGRA country manager, Dr John Jagwe said, that it is through such partnerships that sustainable growth of the sector and creation of job opportunities especially for youth while ensuring sustainable food systems can be realized.
“The partnership has been more at continental level; we are now domesticating these relationships all over Africa to see that investment authorities can spear head the drive to attract investment into the agriculture sector,” said Jagwe.
He added that by formalizing the process, it will become easier for small holder farmers with few financing options to aggregate, add but also earn more.
Over the past 4 years, investment decisions worth US$ 30million have been made through the Deal room. “The signing of the LoI comes at a time when there is huge opportunity for both institutions to work together towards expanding the agriculture sector in Uganda through a private sector led, government enabled approach,” Jagwe added.
