By Nelson Mandela Muhoozi
Tea farmers, under the Uganda Tea Outgrowers Association (UTOA), have called on the Government to extend the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme for an additional three years.
They argue that this extension is crucial for the full commercialisation of the tea industry and the establishment of a self-sustaining sub-sector.
Presenting to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on October 14, 2024, Onesimus Matsiko, the chairperson of UTOA’s board of directors, highlighted that since 2008, more than shillings 300 billion worth of tea seedlings have been distributed to farmers.
However, he said challenges such as low yields, poor quality and declining prices have hindered the commercialisation and viability of the tea sector.
“The price of Uganda’s tea at the Mombasa auction has dropped by over 52% in the last three years due to low quality and high production costs,” Matsiko stated.
“NAADS should be given an extension during the Government’s rationalisation process to continue supporting tea farmers in improving yields and quality.”
Matsiko further explained that improving the quality of production could potentially double Uganda’s tea output and increase export earnings from shillings 125 billion to 413 billion annually.
Rationalisation of government agencies
The farmers’ plea comes in the wake of the Government’s rationalisation programme, known as the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX).
This initiative aims to enhance efficiency by merging agencies and reducing public expenditure. The Government is currently considering four Bills under RAPEX, including the National Agricultural Advisory Services Amendment Bill 2024, which proposes changes to NAADS.
On October 11, 2024, agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze and public service minister Muruli Mukasa appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture to outline the rationale behind these Bills.
The proposed legislation also includes amendments to the Dairy Industry, Cotton Development, and National Coffee Acts.
Tumwebaze emphasized that the objective of the Bills is to streamline agricultural agencies, enhance service delivery to farmers, and promote accountability in the sector.
“The Bills are designed to reduce duplication of roles, consolidate resources, and strengthen the agricultural sector,” he explained.
Parliamentary reactions
During the committee session, Hope Grania Nakazibwe, the deputy chairperson and District Woman Representative for Mubende (NRM), questioned whether NAADS should instead be integrated into the agriculture ministry to enhance its effectiveness in supporting the tea sub-sector.
She noted that the committee would consider the farmers’ request for an extension.
Robert Ndugwa Migadde, the Buvuma Islands County Representative (NRM), pointed to tea subsector issues, noting that Uganda’s tea largely depends on blending with Kenyan and Rwandan teas to improve its quality which calls for urgent government intervention.
However, he questioned how the extension of NAADS would contribute to improving Uganda’s tea quality, emphasizing the need for a clear focus on quality enhancement to revive the sector.
West Budama County South MP, Emmanuel Otaala Otiam (NRM), inquired whether the tea sector would eventually become self-sustaining, even if NAADS’ services were extended or after the Government has offered the promised interventions.
Minister Tumwebaze assured the committee that the agriculture ministry had already implemented several measures to support the tea sector, including the finalisation of the Comprehensive Tea Policy and its implementation strategy.
These efforts, he said, would be further strengthened by the rationalisation process, ensuring that farmers benefit from consolidated services and improved resource utilisation.
Mukasa emphasized that the rationalisation would not compromise the quality of services provided to farmers but would instead lead to cost savings and improved coordination among government agencies.
“There will be net savings, and no services will be lost,” he said.
“RAPEX will eliminate unnecessary competition for resources and ensure more efficient policy implementation”.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Onesimus Matsiko presenting before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture. Photo by Nelson Mandela Muhoozi
