KAMPALA, January 18, 2025 – – A last-minute adjustment in the corrigenda of the 2024/2025 national budget denied the National Agricultural Research Organisation [NARO] Shs 60 billion in funding to operationalise the anti-tick vaccine factory for commercial production.
The revelation was made yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frack Tumwebaze during a meeting with the sectoral committee at Parliament.
“This money was in the last budget but at the last minute, it did not appear in the corrigenda. Because of that, NARO has missed its target of January 2025 for commercial production of the anti-tick vaccine,” said Tumwebaze.
The ministry is seeking additional funding of up to Shs 600bln to execute key interventions on research, genetic development, production, certification and distribution of seed, among others.
He also noted that the ministry lacks Shs 240bln to implement mechanisation and irrigation activities, among which Shs 65bln is required to construct valley dams meant for livestock watering and irrigation.
Tumwebaze also urged the Members of Pariament [MPs] on the Committee of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to support the provision of Shs 5bln to establish the Food and Agricultural Authority akin to Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority [AFA], a state corporation that regulates, develops and promotes scheduled crops value chains, for increased economic growth in that country.
“This is [Food and Agricultural Authority] one of the interventions to control the influx of fake agricultural inputs as well as support food safety,” he added.
The minister alluded to the recent AU Summit in Kampala that adopted the CAADP Strategy, where the need to increase public sector investment into the agricultural sector to at least 10 per cent of National Budgets, was emphasised.
The position is premised on the 2003 Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa, and the 2014 Malabo Declaration to improve agricultural growth and food security in Africa.
According to Maj. Gen. [Rtd] David Kasura-Kyomukama, the Permanent Secretary at the Agriculture Ministry, a total of Shs1.689 trillion is required for all entities in the agricultural sector for Financial Year 2025/2026, with the ministry seeking a total of Shs 850.7bln to implement its activities.
The Erute County North MP Christine Akello, and Ephraim Biraaro, the Buhweju West County asked minister Tumwebaze to find a way forward for the continued seamless provision of agricultural services, despite rationalisation of agencies.
The Bugweri District Woman Representative, Rachel Magoola, and Robina Rwakoojo, the Gomba West County MP raised concerns about uncompleted irrigation facilities, which has affected access to water for production in communities across the country.
“This committee has made several recommendations on the issue of valley dams but they seem not to be taken seriously. The money allocated for their construction does not reflect what is on the ground,” added John Lematia, the Ayivu Division West legislator.
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