World Food Day: Uganda Prime Minister calls for concrete actions to end hunger in a country “gifted by nature”
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has challenged stakeholders in the agriculture sector to reflect on the sector’s progress and contribution to a better life and recommit to deliberate actions to end hunger in all its forms, in a country that prides itself in abundant resources.
Rt. Hon. Nabbanja made the remarks during World Food Day celebrations held on 16 October 2022 at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), Namulonge, Wakiso District, under the theme: “Leave No One Behind: Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life.
She pointed out a number of issues such as extended droughts, poor yields, pests and diseases, insecurity, and poor farming practices, compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have contributed to hunger and food insecurity in Karamoja, Teso, parts of Acholi sub-region- leaving many Ugandans behind.
“This is an embarrassment for a country that prides itself as gifted by nature and as a country with fertile soils and abundant water and good weather. The food insecurity in parts of this country should make us pause and ask ourselves what we are not doing right and what we need to do better”, she said.
The Prime Minister said that although the Government continues to prioritize and invest in agriculture as a key driver of Uganda’s economy, contributing 26.2 per cent of national income, 54 per cent of exports and employing over 70 per cent of Uganda’s population, “we need to do more”. She also called for strengthening intra-African trade, market development for value-added agricultural products and making strategic investments in water for agriculture production.
Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries reiterated his ministry’s commitment to leaving no one behind in Uganda’s agri-food systems transformation.
“Increasing food production takes a two-pronged approach, which involves opening and planting more of the available arable land, enabled by appropriate mechanisation technologies; and increasing production through uptake of fertiliser usage and adoption of highly resilient seeds”, he said.
Speaking at the celebrations, Yona Baguma- Deputy Director General of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) outlined some milestones of agricultural research-, which are the fulcrum of agricultural transformation and productivity in the country.
“Over the years, NARO has developed and disseminated over 800 technologies [fisheries, livestock, crop production], innovations and management practices which have increased agricultural productivity and production, food and nutrition security, environmental conservation, agro-industrialization, economic growth, and improved wellbeing”, he said.
However, he noted a major challenge to their work as limited financing for research and development to enable the timely generation and deployment of solutions to existing and emerging challenges, especially in the advent of climate change characterized by emerging and re-emerging pests, diseases and frequent droughts.
According to FAO Representative in Uganda- Antonio Querido, World Food Day was an opportunity to “relaunch a resounding call for action to transform agri-food systems in a bid to foster inclusive economic growth, address inequalities, increase resilience, and achieve sustainable development”.
He noted that addressing the root cause of food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition requires building robust, inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems, to avoid failures and gaps in food security and nutrition, which result from dysfunctional agri-food systems.
This year’s World Food Day celebrations in Uganda involved a high-level dialogue on the future of agri-food systems as well as exhibitions from a host of agriculture research institutes, private sector players, rural communities and NGOs. The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, gave out awards of recognition to individuals, organizations and communities that have made outstanding contributions to the sector. Awardees included Perusi Logose of Kiyindi Women Fish Group- which FAO supports to improve reduce poverty and improve food security through training to improve post-harvest technologies and practices to increase the value of their fish products to find a market beyond their local markets. Another awardee was Can pe Koyo Farmer Field School in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Adjumani District. With funding from Innovation Norway, the group capitalised on the assorted seed of beans, maize green gram, vegetables, energy-saving stoves and training from FAO, to enhance their food and income security.
Children warm hearts with art paintings on safe, healthy and adequate food, leaving no one behind
During the celebrations, FAO and the Government recognised 12 children who emerged winners in the national World Food Day art contest. The contest was organised by FAO in collaboration with Faces-Up Uganda, a youth-led organization working with children, especially in underserved and vulnerable communities (where hunger, unemployment and poverty are rife), to use creative arts to empower children to explore their potential and contribute to uplifting their peers and communities. Children, a constituent that is often “left behind”, have been telling stories of their interaction with food, its production and consumption, through art. The art contest helped to amplify FAO’s strategic focus around the Four Betters and Leaving No One Behind, and acted as a call to the Government, development partners and relevant stakeholders to support sustainable agriculture and agri-food systems.
The contest received 3500 submissions from children countrywide and 120 artworks will be showcased in a month-long exhibition at a gallery in Kampala. Winners included children with special needs (hearing and sight impairment and physical disability).
FAO Representative- Antonio Querido presented an art piece from the children to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture and the Ministry of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs- who attended.