Uganda Teams Up with China to Transform Agriculture
Uganda is taking bold steps to modernize its agriculture sector, and China is playing a significant role in this transformation. The partnership between the two countries is bringing tangible economic and technical benefits, helping Uganda shift from traditional farming methods to more advanced, resilient practices.
David Kasura Kyomukama, Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, emphasizes the importance of modernizing production systems. “For Uganda, the focus is not just on increasing output, but on modernizing how we produce,” he says. “China plays a key role in driving our transformation toward modern agriculture.”
Strengthening Cooperation
China and Uganda’s cooperation in agriculture has grown significantly in recent years. The collaboration includes sharing expertise in rice cultivation, horticulture, technology, research and development, and innovations in vaccine production. Chinese support has helped Uganda adopt intermediate technologies like hand-held tractors, cottage industries, and small-scale storage systems.
“China helps us transform from a predominantly muscle-bound agricultural economy to one that uses intermediate technologies,” Kyomukama explains. “They provide technical expertise, knowledge, and appropriate transitional technologies. They’ve also assisted us with value addition infrastructure and storage facilities.”
Modernizing to Combat Challenges
Most agriculture in Uganda is peasant-led, with 70% of the population involved in subsistence farming. This system has limitations, including vulnerability to climate change and lack of surplus for trade.
Kyomukama highlights the need to modernize agriculture to reduce rural unemployment and promote development. “If we continue using current methods, we’ll condemn our people to perpetual poverty,” he warns. “Modernizing agriculture is essential to improve productivity and engage young people in innovation.”
Lessons from China’s Experience
China’s remarkable agricultural modernization offers valuable lessons for Uganda and other African countries. Kyomukama points out four key takeaways:
Understand the problem thoroughly.
Adopt transitional technologies suitable for current capabilities.
Be clear about development goals.
Leverage agriculture not just for food security but also for commercial benefits.
The Role of Digital Technology
Digital technology is set to further transform Uganda’s agricultural sector. With 78% of the population under 35, young people are key to driving innovation. Digital tools can help farmers predict weather and soil conditions, access market information, and make informed decisions.
“Digital technology makes us more predictive about agricultural conditions and market trends,” says Kyomukama. “It encourages young people to return to agriculture, but they don’t want to use manual labor, so technology is necessary.”
By embracing modernization and strengthening partnerships, Uganda aims to transform its agriculture sector, boost productivity, and create a sustainable future for its people.
