The government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), is charting an ambitious course towards a resilient and prosperous future, with its vital AgriFood sector at the helm.
This is the key discussion at the two-day Uganda AgriFood Systems Investment and Financing Conference, held at the Uganda Industry Research Institute in Namanve, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Kampala, and officially opened by Hon. Bright Rwamirama, the Minister of State for Animal Industry.
The conference, held in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, marked a pivotal moment at which the Minister outlined five key strategies designed to revolutionise the sector and drive national economic growth.
Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s economy, employing approximately 70% of the workforce and contributing about 24% to the national GDP, as well as 33% of export earnings.
The conference, however, heard that despite its vast arable land (80% arable, but only 35% cultivated), challenges such as low productivity, limited value addition, post-harvest losses, and climate vulnerability have persisted. Currently, over 12 million Ugandans still face food insecurity, highlighting the urgent need for transformation.
According to Minister Rwamirama, the conference’s strategic pillars aim to propel Uganda from a subsistence-based agricultural economy to a dynamic, wealth-creating powerhouse, directly aligning with the ambitious goals of Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plans (NDPs), particularly the upcoming NDP IV (FY2025/26-FY2029/30) which aims to double GDP within five years and reduce subsistence farming to 31%.
Strategies for AgriFood Promotion
Here are the five key elements identified by Minister Rwamirama at the conference that will drive AgriFood promotion and transformation in Uganda:
Financing AgriFood Systems Transformation
This pillar, according to the Minister, emphasises the critical need to unlock significant capital, both public and private, to modernise the entire agrifood value chain.
It acknowledges that current budget allocations are insufficient and calls for innovative financing mechanisms to bridge the investment gap.
This is because the influx of capital is essential for upgrading infrastructure, adopting new technologies, and supporting scalable enterprises, which are crucial for increasing productivity and creating jobs, hence economic transformation.
Advancing Uganda’s AgriFood Systems
The Minister noted that there is a need to integrate rights, innovation, and investment for sustainable transformation in AgriFood. This strategy, he stressed, highlights a holistic approach because it emphasises that transformation must be equitable and inclusive, integrating human rights, particularly the right to adequate food.
Simultaneously, it also calls for a strong focus on innovation; from research and development in crop varieties and livestock management to digital solutions for market access and climate-smart agriculture practices.
Integrating the Human Right to Adequate Food
As an approach to sustainable AgriFood systems, transformation opportunities, and trade-offs for Uganda, the Minister pointed out that this pillar deeply roots the transformation agenda in human well-being.
It recognises that food security is a fundamental right and explores how policy and investment decisions can explicitly lead to its realisation.
AgriFood Systems Financial Landscape and Food Systems Financing
The conference heard that this focus area delves into the intricate web of financial flows within the agrifood sector.
It seeks to understand existing financial mechanisms, identify gaps, and explore new models for financing every segment of the food system, from smallholder farmers needing microloans to large-scale processors requiring significant investment.
This, the Minister revealed, will involve engaging diverse financial institutions, development partners, and private investors.
Value Chain Analysis of Coffee, Cotton, Tea, Sugarcane, Oil Palm, and Banana
By specifically targeting these key commodities, the conference underscored the importance of a value chain approach because these crops are essential for Uganda’s exports and rural livelihoods.
The conference noted that deep analysis of their respective value chains will identify bottlenecks, opportunities for value addition like processing raw materials into finished goods, and areas for strategic investment that can maximise returns for farmers and other actors.
He revealed that the deliberations and actions agreed upon from the conference will be compiled and published in a joint partners’ report for the 2025 Uganda AgriFood Systems Investment and Financing Conference.
The report will serve as a roadmap, guiding future policy decisions, investment strategies, and collaborative efforts.