Uganda’s agricultural sector is poised for a significant turnaround, thanks to the government’s focus on leveraging Agriculture Technology (Agritech).
This was revealed by Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, who was speaking at the Uganda-EU Business Insights 2025 conference held at Mestil Hotel on Thursday.
Kasaija noted that Uganda’s commitment to leveraging Agriculture Technology (Agritech) will be a major driver of economic transformation.
“Agricultural technology is a priority in improving production and productivity. This will further support development of priority value chains and the much-needed value addition and ease access into global export markets,” Kasaija said.
Explaining that 70% of Uganda’s labour force is engaged in agriculture, Kasaija urged foreign investors through the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the private sector to get involved in the drive to agro-industrialization.
“Currently, the government is focusing on high-impact sectors such as coffee, fish, flowers, and cocoa beans; these industries are vital for Uganda’s export performance,” the Minister explained.
He called upon all key stakeholders to fully and actively participate and support this partnership, emphaisizing the need for collaborative efforts if Uganda’s ten-fold growth strategy is to be achieved by 2040.
According to Kasaija, Agritech investment is key to unlocking Uganda’s growth potential.
With 70% of Uganda’s labor force engaged in agriculture, the sector is ripe for fruition.
Kasaija emphasized the importance of agricultural technology in improving production and productivity, which will, in turn, support the development of priority value chains and enhance access to global export markets.
He made it clear that the government is already focusing on high-impact sectors such as coffee, fish, flowers, and cocoa beans, which are vital for Uganda’s export performance.
To achieve the country’s ten-fold growth strategy by 2040, Kasaija called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, including foreign investors, the private sector, and policymakers.
Why Agritech?
Agritech has the potential to revolutionize Uganda’s agricultural sector, making it more efficient, productive, and sustainable. By investing in Agritech, Uganda can:
Improve crop yields
Through precision agriculture, farmers can optimize crop yields, reduce waste, and improve the overall quality of their produce.
Enhance value addition
Agritech can enable farmers to add value to their produce, increasing its market value and competitiveness.
Increase access to markets
With Agritech, farmers can access global markets, increasing their revenue and improving their livelihoods.
Promote sustainable agriculture
Agritech can help farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices, reducing their environmental footprint and improving the overall sustainability of the sector.
The Uganda-EU Business Insights 2025 conference, which brought together over 500 stakeholders, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs, highlighted the importance of Agritech in achieving Uganda’s growth strategy.