The minister of state for Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) in charge of Animal Husbandry Rt. Col Bright Rwamirama while addressing members of ASARECA at Munyoyo Speke Resort Hotel in Kampala, commended scientists in the region for helping combat challenges such as disease outbreaks that have been attacking the different crops.
The said 3 day conference that attracted over 300 delegates from 14 member countries is geared towards discussing ways of ensuring resilient food systems to feed Africa for generation by ensuring science innovation so as to enhance crop production and value addition.
The meeting also tackled issues that affect the local farmers, including ensuring the flow of knowledge and information to farmers so as to improve adoption of innovations that increase agricultural commercialization and market opportunity tapping.
Col. Rwamirama said that the meeting was attended by the line ministers from the ASARECA member countries and their agricultural technocrats including researchers and it’s spearheaded by government of Uganda in conjunction with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa and the Agricultural Research Organization (NARO).
According to the minister, Uganda has benefited from ASARECA to a tune of US $ 17.2 million since its inception in 1994 this has helped her to fight the crop diseases like Cassava Brown Streak, controlling of Banana Xanthomonas among others which used to cause losses to farmers.
The funds has also been used in other areas like promoting quality protein maize production in Lira and Gulu districts, promoting value addition and regional trade in quality crop products.
ASARECA is a sub- regional Intergovernmental Organization of the National Agricultural Research Systems of 14 member countries, which include: Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC,Eritrea, Ethiopia Madagascar, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
‘’Matters to do with food insecurity, incomes and social transformation of our people are dear to our hearts.’’ Said Fred Bwino Kyakulaga the minister of state in charge of Crops.
He adds: The resolutions made in this conference will hopefully transform @ASARECA to man its operations.
The meeting also elected new leaders and the newly elected president is Emmanuel Nangas from Eritrea who was unopposed despite being absent during the election. While Cameroun was admitted as a member in the Association.
ASARECA is an Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa is a non-political organization of the National Agricultural Research Systems
Bukenya George