Transforming Uganda’s agricultural sector for sustained economic growth

Policy brief 31 Jan 2018 Firms

Authors

The recent slowdown of Uganda’s economy has drawn the attention of leaders at all levels of political office. Analysts have cited the poor performance of the agriculture sector as a major underlying cause.
Agricultural productivity in Uganda is below its potential – constrained by limited use of modern farming methods. Weather is increasingly volatile, yet few farmers use irrigation. Modern seed and fertilisers available on the market are of low quality, and avoided by farmers. Public agricultural support services can rectify these issues, but are understaffed and underfunded.
To unlock Uganda’s agricultural potential, the government should focus on 1) improving delivery of agricultural support services, 2) facilitating farmers’ access to price and weather information, and 3) promoting market-oriented production, by improving agricultural markets.