President Museveni has held talks with former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who currently serves as Board Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, at State Lodge in Nakasero.
During the meeting, President Museveni commended AGRA for its role in strengthening food systems across Africa, highlighting its contributions in advancing science, innovation, and policy advocacy in agriculture.
He stressed the importance of adopting practical and locally relevant solutions, noting that traditional communal dams are becoming less effective as more farmers shift to zero grazing to control livestock diseases.
The President said government is prioritising modern water harvesting technologies to support irrigation and industrial use, while cautioning that chlorinated piped water may not be suitable for certain agricultural activities.
He welcomed AGRA’s approach, describing it as an opportunity for Africa to embrace modern, home-grown farming methods rather than relying on imported models that may not align with local conditions, particularly in areas such as animal feed production.
He also underscored the role of boreholes in supporting rural households and reducing dependence on communal water sources.
On his part, Desalegn expressed appreciation for the meeting, noting that AGRA continues to make progress in promoting sustainable agricultural development across the continent. He said the organisation, now marking 20 years of operation, remains committed to transforming Africa’s food systems.
According to AGRA, its operations in Uganda date back to 2006, initially coordinated from Nairobi before expanding into a fully established country office to manage its growing portfolio.
Over the years, the organisation has supported the training of agricultural scientists, including plant breeders, agronomists, and soil experts. Many of these professionals now serve in key research and development institutions such as the National Agricultural Research Organisation.
AGRA has aligned its programmes with national priorities, including support to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme framework.
It has also provided technical and financial support to strengthen agricultural planning and facilitated access to climate financing through mechanisms such as the Green Climate Fund, aimed at building resilience among smallholder farmers.
AGRA Uganda Country Director, David Wozemba, said the organisation operates in 15 African countries, focusing on strengthening seed systems to ensure farmers access high-quality inputs through agro-dealer networks.
He added that AGRA supports early generation seed production, certification, and tracking systems to improve quality and accessibility, while also advocating for improved fertiliser policies. Fertilisers, he noted, remain critical in boosting agricultural productivity alongside the adoption of modern farming technologies.
