Posted on July, 22, 2021 at 09:08 am
The chairperson of the committee set up to investigate the effectiveness of agro-chemicals and animal health products in Uganda has asked individuals and institutions to provide them with reports on fake fertilisers and acaricides in the country.
Prof. John David Kabaasa, the principal at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity Makerere University said there is scattered information and knowledge on issues of fertilisers and acaricides in Uganda.
“We will access the information and translate it into knowledge. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. But we shall put the information into scientific decisions,” Kabaasa said. He said Kenya, Tanzania have made efforts to trade in fertilisers and use them and have plenty of information.
Acaricides are chemicals used to kill ticks and mites. While agrochemicals are chemical products comprised of fertilizers, plant-protection chemicals or pesticides, and plant-growth hormones used in agriculture.
Frank Tumwebaze, the minister for agriculture, animal industry, and fisheries said there have been growing concerns on the low levels of usefulness of some of the available agrochemicals and acaricides in Uganda. He has appointed the committee to come up with recommendations on how to deal with the problem.
Tumwebaze asked the committee to start their work with literature review during the lockdown period. He said he expects a report from the committee within 90 days from the time the lockdown is lifted.
Dr. Stevens Kisaka, secretary of the committee said they will bring scattered information together and give them a voice. “There is much information that is known but not brought together to propose a viable solution. Various stakeholders have made suggestions,” Kisaka, a lecturer at Makerere University said.
“We cannot bring all universities, research institutions to the committee but we shall be involved. For example, Busitema and Mbarara Universities,” Kisaka said.
Kisaka said they will study what has been proposed and why no actions have been taken on the proposals.
The members of the committee include; Dr. Jullian Omalla chief executive officer, Delight Uganda Limited, Beatrice Byarugaba, and agriculture consultant, Dr. John Nuwagaba chairman of Uganda Veterinary Board.
Other members are; Hudda Mahmood chairman Technical Working Group on Agriculture under the Presidential Investors’ Round Table, Tayebwa Rutamwebwa chief executive officer at the Mutungo Dairy Training Centre, Dr. Patrick Vudriko lecturer Makerere University and Dr. Ben Ssekamatte a private consultant.
On receipt of the final report, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries will formulate a government white paper with policy and regulatory reforms that will help to address the identified gaps for Cabinet consideration.
Source: New Vision