President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held talks with former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at State Lodge Nakasero, focusing on strengthening Africa’s food systems and advancing agricultural transformation.
Desalegn, who currently chairs the board of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, briefed the President on the organisation’s work across the continent, particularly its efforts to promote sustainable farming and improve productivity among smallholder farmers.
During the meeting, President Museveni commended AGRA for championing science, innovation, and policy reforms aimed at boosting food security.
He emphasised the importance of adopting practical, locally suited agricultural solutions, warning against overreliance on imported models that may not align with African conditions.
The President noted that traditional communal water systems are becoming less effective due to changing farming practices, such as zero grazing, which has been widely adopted to control livestock diseases.
He said the government is now prioritising modern water harvesting technologies for irrigation and industrial use, while cautioning that chlorinated piped water may not always be suitable for agriculture.
He also underscored the role of boreholes in supporting rural households and reducing pressure on shared water sources, adding that Africa must embrace home-grown innovations in areas such as animal feed production.
Desalegn welcomed Uganda’s commitment to agricultural modernisation, noting that AGRA—now marking 20 years of operations—remains focused on driving sustainable improvements in Africa’s food systems.
According to AGRA, its work in Uganda dates back to 2006, initially coordinated from Nairobi before expanding into a fully-fledged country programme.
Over the years, the organisation has supported the training of scientists, including plant breeders, agronomists, and soil experts, many of whom now serve in key institutions such as the National Agricultural Research Organisation.
AGRA has also aligned its interventions with continental frameworks like the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, while providing technical and financial support to strengthen national agricultural planning. Its work has further helped Uganda access climate financing, including resources from the Green Climate Fund, aimed at building resilience among smallholder farmers.
Speaking on AGRA’s operations, Uganda Country Director David Wozemba said the organisation operates in 15 African countries, focusing on improving seed systems and expanding farmers’ access to high-quality inputs through agro-dealer networks.
He added that AGRA supports seed production, certification, and tracking systems to enhance quality and availability.
Wozemba also highlighted ongoing advocacy for improved fertiliser policies, describing fertilisers as critical to increasing agricultural productivity, alongside efforts to promote modern farming technologies across the continent.
The meeting underscored growing collaboration between governments and development partners in addressing Africa’s food security challenges through innovation, investment, and locally driven solutions.