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Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | Ugandan agriculture is taking a critical step towards resilience with the launch of the Uganda Climate-Smart Agriculture Multi-Stakeholder Platform (UG-CSA MSP). This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) in collaboration with the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) through its Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) project, aims to unify stakeholders and revolutionize the way agriculture tackles climate change.
According to the World Bank 2022 report, agriculture accounts for 24% of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 73% of its 18.2 million workforce.
However, agricultural yields only range from 20% to 30% of their potential. Production challenges, including climate change, worsen the situation. The lack of coordinated efforts has resulted in inefficiencies and reduced the effectiveness of substantial resource investments.
The UG-CSA MSP is designed to unify all CSA stakeholders to collaboratively address climate change issues in agriculture, ensure collaboration among CSA players, enhance communication, knowledge sharing, and learning, and provide a space for creativity and innovation.
The platform aims to: Foster collaboration among state and non-state CSA stakeholders to achieve the agro-industrialisation agenda, promote coordination, resource mobilisation, and alignment of various CSA interventions, improve knowledge management, awareness, and dissemination to adopt CSA technologies and practices, Streamline CSA intervention reporting processes in the agriculture sector and strengthen the enabling environment for CSA to drive the agricultural sector transformation.
“As development partners, we are profoundly delighted with the opportunity to contribute to efforts geared towards improving absorptive capacity, adaptation capacities, and transformative capacities to climate change effects,” said Phomolo Maphosa, the Country Director of SNV in Uganda.
Dr Henry Nakalet Opolot, Commissioner of Agriculture Extension Services and Skills Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, noted that the government is developing a Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation (UCSAT) project to respond to climate change. He added that they cannot do it alone, hence requiring partners to work with them.
Phomolo Maphosa also mentioned that SNV is eager to support government efforts, especially through the anticipated World Bank-funded Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation (UCSAT) Project under MAAIF, given its experience and expertise in dairy/livestock.
“We are also aware of the government’s efforts to update the National Development Plan. As development partners, we are available to contribute, especially based on our extensive implementation experience in different parts of the world. The MSP provides a perfect platform for development partners in the CSA space to contribute to such discussions. We therefore welcome this initiative,” added Phomolo.
The UG-CSA MSP recognizes the importance of innovation in tackling climate change. The platform will serve as a breeding ground for new ideas and technologies. Stakeholders can share best practices, collaborate on research, and develop innovative solutions that address the specific needs of Ugandan agriculture.
The launch of the UG-CSA MSP marks a major step forward for Ugandan agriculture. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation, the platform has the potential to revolutionize the way Uganda approaches climate change.
