By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: The government of Uganda has set its sights on the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), with a strong focus on Agro-industrialisation. This shift in focus is expected to drive economic growth, and farmers are being called upon to play a crucial role in its success.
According to Mr Grace Bwengye Bunanukye, Senior Planner, Agriculture at the National Planning Authority, “There’s a lot of work for all of us, but especially for you, the farmers…This plan is largely based on what we have: good weather, agricultural commodities, crops, livestock, minerals, and tourism.”
NDP IV aims to achieve higher household incomes, full monetization, and employment for sustainable socio-economic transformation. To achieve this, the government plans to leverage economic knowledge, science, and technology, with a focus on promoting six key development commodities: coffee, dairy, sugar, fish, cocoa, and edible oils.
Farmers, however, face numerous challenges, including accessing agricultural loans and responding to disease outbreaks. Ms Sylvia Natukunda, a farmer from Pader District, emphasized the need for more accessible loans, saying, “The government should invest in farmers’ cooperatives (saccos) to make loans more accessible and promote increased production.”
Rev Fr Hilary Muheezangango, National Director of Caritas Uganda, also stressed the importance of developing village-level plans and capacity building for local leaders.
He noted, “Training LCIS (Local Council I leaders) will be a game changer…We should have already reached middle-income status if these leaders, who directly interact with citizens, were properly trained.”
As Uganda embarks on this new development plan, it is clear that the success of NDP IV hinges on the collective efforts of farmers, local leaders, and the government.