The Government of the People’s Republic of China through its Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs under the leadership of H.E. Han Changfu, has committed to pump more money in Uganda`s agricultural sector.
This was revealed to Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)-Uganda during the Ministerial Forum on Global South-South Cooperation in Agriculture recently held in Shangsha City, Hunan Province, China.
In another meeting that was conducted between the Hunan Economic Development Office and the Ugandan delegation under the leadership of Hon. MAAIF and Uganda`s Ambassador to China, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, it was agreed that more focus will be investment in boosting commercial production, processing and marketing of key commodities including; Cassava both row and processed, Coffee, Rice, Tropical fruits, confectionery, Honey, Beef, Dairy Products and Fish for export.
The investors also agreed to set up a multibillion Agricultural Industrial Park in Uganda preferably in areas around Entebbe for easy transportation.
During interactions with Entrepreneurs, it was also agreed to partner in supporting agricultural research in Uganda through National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to boost provision of quality and highly-productive seed and planting materials as well as production of vaccines and pesticides.
In the meeting, Hon. Minister Ssempijja thanked the organizers of the 16th China Agricultural Trade Fair, where Uganda has been able to showcase her potential in agriculture. He assured Chinese investors of Uganda`s political will and the open investment policy committed to support the efforts of the investors and traders.
“We have already facilitated the establishment of China-Uganda Agricultural Cooperation Industrial Park by Kehong Uganda Industrial Development Limited. This private venture is growing hybrid rice and foxtail millet commercially. Chicken production targeting 1,000,000 layers has also been started. The park has provided employment for Ugandans, offered training opportunities and ready markets for this product,” he said.
The Minister revealed to the meeting that the Government of Uganda has allowed another investor from Hainan Province who registered as CHINA QINFU (UGANDA) HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED to invest in Tilapia fish farming through ponds and cages, establishment of a hatchery, a fish feed mill, fish Processing factory majorly for export, processing of the fish skin to produce Collagen and working with the Government of Uganda to develop and implement a training and extension program for an out-growers fish farming scheme.
The Government is already working with the investor to secure the required land and tax incentives.
