The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) launched the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural programme in the West Nile region in a bid to improve food security and livelihoods.
While addressing leaders and stakeholders during the launch of the project at Nebbi Community Social Centre (NECOSOC) in December 2024, the Assistant Commissioner of Gro-Business MAAIF, Yaface Ogwang, noted the launch of the project is aimed at integrating climate-smart agricultural approaches that will boost productivity and strengthen resilience in agricultural enterprises.
Ogwang observed that following numerous immense challenges due to unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, pests, and diseases faced by the sector, which continues to threaten crops, livestock, and fisheries, it’s upon this vice that MAAIF has designed a comprehensive project whose strategy is to promote climate-smart agriculture to address such challenges.
“As you are all aware, agriculture is the backbone of our country’s economy, employing the majority of our people and contributing significantly to food security and livelihoods. The project development objective is to increase productivity, market access, and resilience of selected value chains Crops, Livestock, and Fisheries, respectively,” Boniface said.
He added that the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project will be implemented in the four districts of Nebbi, Zombo, Yumbe, and Adjumani in West Nile and strategically will promote value chain products that will include coffee, cocoa, mango, hass avocado, cassava, maize, livestock dairy, and beef; fish capture and aquaculture; beneficial insects; bees; and black soldier fly, among others.
Nebbi District Production Officer Nyakuni Levi, during the launch, appreciated the MAAIF for launching the Climate Smart Agriculture Project in the region, stating that this will enhance productivity and resilience to climate change.
Nyakuni noted that the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project by the government through MAAIF is a bold step towards achieving sustainable agricultural development that will address the critical challenges in the agricultural sector that will transform the livelihoods of millions of farmers in Nebbi and Zombo Region.
Nebbi district vice chairperson Okello Geoffrey reiterated that as a district, they are ready to embrace and implement the Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project to the dot.
“As Nebbi district, I can confirm that it’s going to be our responsibility to mobilise our farmers to embrace this launched project that we believe will play a significant role in increasing productivity, market access, and strengthening resilience in the key agricultural enterprises in Nebbi district,” Okello said.
