Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have called upon government to help enact a legislation on organic agriculture.
Speaking during the opening of the national organic week at Lugogo exhibition hall in Kampala, Chariton Namuwoza, the CEO of the National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda (NOGAMU) said the approval of the national organic policy has played a key role in promotion of organic farming in the country but said government should move a notch higher by enacting a legislation.
“In 2019 we approved the organic agriculture policy and one of the key recommendations we have from stakeholders is to get a legislation enacted to be able to operationalise the policy. Since 2019, we have implemented this policy and there is tremendous growth in the sector. There is therefore confidence among stakeholders that enactment of the organic law will greatly help us regulate this industry,” Namuwoza said.
He thanked actors and stakeholders who have played a key role to ensure organic food is put onto both the Ugandan and global market.
Exhibitors showcase organic productsThe commissioner for crop protection in the Ministry of Agriculture, Stephen Tibeijuka Byantwale who represented the agriculture minister hailed NOGAMU for organising the national organic week that brings together players in organic agriculture.
“The national organic week provides a seamless platform for different actors including input suppliers, producers, processors, retailers, government institutions, development partners, civil society and others to interact , dialogue and strategise for the development of the organic industry in Uganda,”Tibeijuka said.
The official from the agriculture ministry reiterated that government recognises the importance of organic agriculture in delivering social, economic and environmental benefits to the country.
He said it is captivating to learn that Uganda is establishing itself as a centre of excellence for organic farming and being a home to some of the best organic innovations into the world.
“I understand that our farmers and MSMEs need a lot of support to access organic inputs and attain capacity for organic production, certification and market access. Government is ready to assist them in this quest.”
The Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Frederieke Quispel said her government will continue supporting Uganda’s quest to be a leading producer of organic foods not only in the region but also the world at large.
