Minister Hellen Adoa (Centre) pose for a group photo with members of UGAFMA and their partners during the launch of a two-day workshop in Kampala on Wednesday.
Recent studies have shown that 6.8 million out of 9.3 million households in Uganda raise livestock as a source of livelihood.
Further studies indicate that the livestock sector accounts for about 17 percent of Uganda’s agricultural value added and 4.3 percent of Uganda’s GDP.
Now, experts say that the demand for animal feed is very high.
These formed discussions at the two-day workshop on Advancing Uganda’s feed and biofuel industry at Four Points By Sheraton in Kampala.
The workshop convened by the Uganda Animal Feeds Manufacturers Association (UGAFMA and its partners from the Region is discussing the advancement in technologies that have informed feed manufacturing.
Speaking as the chief guest at the commencement of the two-day workshop, the Minister of State for Fisheries in the Ministry of AGriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, revealed that there is a huge demand for animal feed.
“The demand for what you are doing is very high. Research on the new technologies to see how you can expand. Government will support you,” said Adoa.
Earlier, Anthony Mutwiri, the Area Sales Manager – Africa at Andritz Feed & Biofuel, a feed processing equipment giant, said that there is a need for sector players to reflect on the role the equipment plays in the success of the feed operations. According to Mutwiri, recent years have seen massive advancements in technology that he says has revolutionized the way “we approach equipment manufacturing.”
“By leveraging these innovations, we can help you optimize your processes, minimize downtime, and maximize your return on investments,” said Mutwiri.
Industry Director, Animal Feed at Andritz Feed & Biofuel, Marcel Franitza, said that the industry is currently facing a number of challenges including frequent changes in the ingredients/formula which he said is driven by availability and cost. The second challenge he said is the inclusion of liquid high energy ingredients.
To this, Franitza called for local manufacturing of feed in a bid to optimize production.
“You have a lot of raw materials. Why not do safe production in Uganda? Manufacture first for the people of Uganda and maybe export,” said Franitza.
UGAFMA Chairman Aimable Mbarushimana noted that with the available raw materials, Uganda has the capacity to manufacture animal feed locally. According to Mbarushimana, the only challenge previously was infrastructure. However, he says that with the partnership of Andritz Feed & Biofuel, a renowned feed manufacturer, Uganda can now manufacture its own animal feed and possibly export to the outside markets.
This is good timing,” Mbarushimana said. “We now have the right technology to manufacture feed locally because we have the raw materials.”
The acting Commissioner Animal Nutrition in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Dennis Mulongo Maholo said that the government is currently looking to among others enhance feed and fodder supply chain for efficiency and resilience as well as enhance partnerships with actors in Uganda.
