Achievements
a) We have created debate on service delivery
approaches including use of the private sector in the agricultural
sector development. The arguments are constructive and better
results are expected in the near future.
b) We have identified the existing gaps for
instance inadequate policy framework and regulation in the sector
which will help to provide targeted interventions in agriculture.
c) We have increased interaction between
government and the people; 6.2 million Ugandans have responded to
OWC and are eager to participate. Many make requests for inputs
and value addition equipment which are inadequate in quantities.
d) Together with NAADS, OWC has embarked on
mobilizing stakeholders in the sector to build value chain
platforms e.g. The fruit sector platform, the coffee sector
platform and organic farmer’s platform etc. Such platforms have
improved farmers bargaining power, knowledge, market search and
also strengthened their voice in demanding and accessing for
better services.
e) OWC has facilitated and participated in
progressive debates in the agriculture sector towards increased
productivity and growth. In collaboration with partners and
universities, OWC has engaged in a number of studies whose
findings can contribute to policy.
The Future of OWC
We have identified the major challenges that Uganda faces as:
a. How to convert agriculture into a high value
sector, raise productivity, increase number of Ugandans engaged in
commercialized agriculture, and increase house hold incomes.
b. How to expedite conversion of people from
basic agriculture to industry and service sectors.
c. How to facilitate structural transformation of
the economy to create more jobs for the thousands of young people
that graduate from education institutions every year.
d. How to improve export performance to boost the
value of the shilling to
international currencies. To address these challenges, we need to
promote market demand-driven agricultural production. “Demand
Creates Supply”.
This calls for stabilization of farm-gate prices, reduction of
post-harvest losses, and value addition. These interventions will
provide the incentive to peasants to raise productivity.
Well-structured agro-processing will help achieve these goals.
On a broader scale, we need to squarely face the effects of
Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) on the command, control,
coordination and communication (the 4Cs) of the development
process in Uganda.
Effective coordination of all government agencies involved in the
agricultural value chain and the development process at large is
crucial to the pursuit of socio-economic transformation hence the
Uganda Development Forum (UDF).