The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, has called on Local Government leaders to give more attention to agriculture by strengthening planning, supervision and support for agricultural services in their districts, cities and municipalities.
While making his speech, the Minister reminded Local Government leaders that agriculture remains at the centre of livelihoods and Uganda’s economy and therefore deserves more attention at the Local Government level. One of the ways to do this, he said, is by understanding the farming profile of their districts, including the main farming activities, how they perform each season and the challenges farmers face. He noted that this information helps the Ministry of Agriculture plan better, make informed decisions and allocate resources where they are needed most.
The Minister also expressed concern that many farmers continue to report that they have never seen an extension worker despite Government’s investment in extension services. He called on Local Government leaders to pay closer attention to their production departments and ensure extension workers are reaching farming communities.
Hon. Frank Tumwebaze reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture’s commitment to working closely with Local Governments, calling on leaders to become strong partners in transforming the agricultural sector. He also proposed a joint engagement between the Ministries of Agriculture and Local Government to discuss farmers’ concerns and strengthen agricultural service delivery across the country.