President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has welcomed a proposal for a Regional Farm Service Centre Initiative aimed at tackling challenges in Uganda's agricultural sector, particularly the increasing prevalence of counterfeit agro-inputs.
The President made the remarks during a meeting with a South African delegation led by Mr. Andile Ramaphosa at State Lodge, Nakasero, where the initiative was presented as a strategy to improve access to quality agricultural inputs and services across the country.
During the meeting, the South African delegation presented a proposal for a tripartite partnership involving Namunkekera Farm Service Centre, the National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB), and businessman Andile Ramaphosa.
The initiative aims to establish infrastructure for the profiling, controlled breeding, harvesting, and export of Ankole cattle genetics to markets within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond.
Mr. Ramaphosa said the collaboration would help improve the quality of cattle breeds, drawing on South Africa's experience in livestock development.
“We want to enhance the quality of cattle and develop breeds comparable to those in South Africa,” he said.
President Museveni welcomed the proposal, commending the partners for introducing ideas aimed at transforming Uganda’s agricultural and livestock sectors.
“I wish to express my gratitude to these people for awakening from slumber and coming up with ideas that can contribute to the transformation of our agricultural sector,” the President said.
The proposal also provides for the establishment of a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) laboratory to strengthen quality assurance, regulation, and verification of agricultural inputs in a bid to curb the spread of counterfeit agro-inputs.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of genetic selection in livestock farming, noting that different breeds possess unique characteristics such as higher milk yields, superior meat quality, and stronger offspring.
If implemented, the partnership is expected to boost Uganda’s livestock industry and enhance regional trade in Ankole cattle genetics, positioning the country as a key supplier of high-quality breeding stock within Africa.
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