The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) has entered a landmark partnership with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector. This agreement will focus on enhancing post-harvest handling, improving small-scale irrigation, and increasing agricultural mechanisation to uplift Uganda’s food security and support farmers.
The signing ceremony, held in Kampala, was attended by senior officials from both Uganda and CCCC. Speaking on behalf of Uganda, Ronald Segawa Gyagenda, Acting Permanent Secretary of MAAIF, emphasised the importance of addressing the significant food losses caused by inadequate post-harvest infrastructure. “A large portion of our food is lost after harvest due to poor handling and storage, and this has been a persistent issue,” Gyagenda stated, adding that the partnership represents Uganda's commitment to tackling these challenges with innovative solutions.
Gyagenda further noted that the collaboration would introduce modern technologies to stabilise food prices and secure the nation’s food supply. A key element of the agreement includes conducting feasibility studies that will guide the government's decision-making process in implementing these initiatives.
Hailiang Song, President of CCCC, expressed excitement about the collaboration and reaffirmed the company's dedication to Uganda’s development. He highlighted the importance of constructing modern warehousing infrastructure to ensure stable food prices and better market access for farmers. “Warehousing is critical for Uganda’s future,” Song said, emphasising that this will address the country’s pressing storage needs.
The MOU also targets expanding small-scale irrigation systems to help farmers combat unpredictable weather patterns, such as prolonged droughts and excessive rains, which have affected crop yields. Both parties stressed the importance of testing and adapting new agricultural technologies to suit Uganda’s specific conditions.
The partnership builds on previous engagements, including discussions held during the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, where Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture visited CCCC’s offices. This MOU represents a critical step forward in Uganda’s efforts to modernise agriculture and improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country.
